Thomas grabbed it.
“Where do I sign?”
“Before you do,” Julian said, “read the top of page one.”
My father adjusted his glasses.
He read it.
Then read it again.
His face turned white.
Ryan pulled the document toward himself.
He read the heading aloud.
“Asset Purchase and Acquisition Agreement between Bennett Development Group LLC and C.B.
Capital Partners.”
Then he looked at me.
“What is C.B.
Capital Partners?”
I picked up the fountain pen beside the agreement.
“My company.”
Silence filled the room.
I continued.
“Over the last two years, I invested most of the money I earned through consulting.
Julian taught me how to evaluate distressed assets, acquisitions, and private equity structures.”
I looked at my father.
“C.B.
Capital Partners started small.
Then it didn’t stay small.”
Thomas stared at Julian.
“So Mercer Holdings isn’t buying the company?”
Julian shook his head.
“I’m here because Claire asked me to be.”
I leaned forward.
“I’m buying it.”
No one moved.
For years, they had treated me as the daughter without ambition.
Without money.
The one destined to spend her life serving other people.
Now I sat at the head of their table holding the contract that would determine whether their company survived.
My father stared at the signature line.
“You planned this.”
“No.”
I shook my head.
