Chapter 3 - The Boardroom Left Behind|
His phone rang again, vibrating hard against his chest. He pulled it out and looked at the screen: ASSISTANT - BOARDROOM.
The merger of the decade was set to sign in thirty minutes. Millions of dollars were on the line. The board members were waiting for their ruthless CEO to enter and seal the deal.
Max looked down at Lily. She was watching him with wide, hopeful eyes, her small shoes dangling inches above the floor.
He swiped his thumb across the screen.
"Mr. Rochester! Where are you? The chairman is demanding—"
"Cancel the meeting, Sarah," Max interrupted, his voice surprisingly firm.
"What? Sir, this is the Asian acquisition! We can't cancel!"
"I said cancel it," Max ordered. "Reschedule for next week. Clear my calendar for the entire month."
"Mr. Rochester, are you out of your mind?"
"I have an urgent family matter," Max said, and before his assistant could reply, he hung up the phone and switched it off entirely.
Lily looked up at him, her lips parting in surprise. "Did you miss your important meeting?"
May you like
Max looked at the little girl—his daughter—and felt a strange, long-buried warmth crack through his chest.
"No," Max said softly, taking her small, cold hand into his own. "I think I'm right on time. Let's go see your mother."
