Chapter 7 - Debts of Honor
Director Vance stood up, his face purple with outrage, pointing a trembling, liver-spotted finger at Marcus. "You tried to destroy your grandfather’s store? For an insurance kickback and a hostile takeover?"
Marcus frantically looked around the table, but every single board member looked back at him with pure disgust. Even his closest allies pulled their folders away, isolating him at the end of the table.
"Security has already cleared out your desk, Marcus," Cullen said quietly. "Detective Miller is waiting downstairs in the lobby with a warrant for your arrest on felony conspiracy charges. You have thirty seconds to leave this room before they drag you out in front of the local press."
Marcus snatched his coat, glaring venomously at Jolie as he passed her. "You ruined everything, you gutter scrub."
"Get out," Cullen roared, stepping into Marcus's path with a fury that made his cousin stumble backward out the double doors, fleeing toward the stairwell where two uniform officers were waiting.
Silence fell over the boardroom. Tandy was quietly escorted out by corporate security, leaving only the stunned directors, Cullen, and Jolie standing amid the scattered evidence.
Director Vance turned to Cullen, clearing his throat awkwardly. "Cullen... the board owes you an apology. And it seems we owe this young woman an immense debt. If that curved glass had been shattered, our centennial jubilee would have been a catastrophic embarrassment."
"You don't owe me an apology, Vance," Cullen replied, turning his eyes toward Jolie. "You owe Miss Cantrell restitution. She was falsely accused, harassed, and put her physical safety on the line to preserve this company’s heritage."
Vance nodded vigorously. "Of course. Miss Cantrell, name your fee for the emergency restoration. The board will authorize an immediate discretionary payment."
Jolie looked at the wealthy men sitting around the mahogany table. She thought of her daughter's sight-word cards, the overdue heating bill on her kitchen counter, and the worn tires on her pickup truck that slid every time it rained. But she didn't flinch.
"I don't want a charity handout, gentlemen," Jolie said clearly. "I want an exclusive, five-year commercial maintenance contract for Strickland Hat Company and all four of its regional distribution warehouses. At standard market rate, plus five percent for specialized historic preservation. And I want the company to formally cover my commercial bonding insurance for the duration of the agreement."
Director Vance blinked in surprise, then a slow, approving smile crept onto his aged face. "A businesswoman who knows her worth. Carl would have respected that. Cullen, do you approve?"
"Unanimously," Cullen smiled, looking at Jolie with an admiration that went far beyond business. "Draw up the contracts today."
When they walked out of the boardroom into the sunny morning light, Jolie leaned against the hallway wall, finally letting out a long, shuddering breath. "My hands are still shaking."
Cullen walked up beside her, leaning his shoulder against the wall, looking down at her warmly. "You were incredible in there. You didn't flinch once."
"I was terrified," she admitted, looking up at him. "Rich people with expensive lawyers scare me."
"You don't ever have to be scared of them again," Cullen said softly. "Where's Posie right now?"
May you like
"With Mrs. Gable," Jolie said, checking her watch. "I have to go pick her up and buy groceries before my afternoon route."
Cullen straightened his jacket. "Cancel your afternoon route. Today, you and Posie are having lunch with me. And there’s someone who wants to meet her."
