“Yes,” they all said at the same time.
Had Evelyn told them about the sale? He couldn’t tell.
“I’ve found a way.” She grinned. “Well, not me. Someone else, and she’s here to explain her proposal.”
Seb turned to see Jade walking into the room. His breath caught and his jaw tightened at the same time. Whatever she had to say, he wasn’t going to listen to it. He started to get up. “Evelyn, out in the hallway. Now.”
She shook her head. “Not until you hear Jade out.”
He was trapped and he didn’t like it. He was also going to fire Evelyn when he was done. If he didn’t strangle her first.
Jade went to the head of the table and Evelyn stepped away. The woman was all business in her crimson power suit, white blouse, hair slicked back in a sleek ponytail that accentuated her gorgeous face. How could he still think she was beautiful after what she’d done?
“Hello,” she said, placing her fingertips on the table. “I’m Jade Smith. It’s nice to meet you all. Thanks for giving me a few minutes of your time.” She looked at everyone but Seb. “This won’t take long. If you’re unaware, there’s been a concerted effort by megacorporations to acquire community and local newspapers. This is happening all over the country. The reasons are varied— some companies truly want to see newspapers thrive and are a godsend to the ones that are struggling or completely going under. Others are trying to enhance their own growth and are eager to fold them into their portfolios. I’m not here to make a moral judgment about either, only to confess my part in trying to take overThe Clementine Times.”
Seb was shocked. So was everyone else, and they listened attentively to her explanation of Harrington Media and how she’d come here to get Seb to talk to them. “I wasn’t completely above board,” she said, moving her hands behind her back.
That was the only indication of emotion from her as she admitted to taking the ledger. “I was wrong. So wrong.” For the first time she looked at Seb. “And I’m sorry.”
He didn’t look away, and he knew he was the only one in the room who could detect her discomfiture. Didn’t matter, though. He didn’t care if she was sincere or not. The damage was done.
“I understand if you refuse to consider my idea,” she said to him, then turned to everyone else.
Seb couldn’t take it anymore. He got up and stalked out of the room, straight to his office. She could tell them whatever she wanted. He owned the paper, he was going to do what he thought was right, and he wasn’t going to be a part of her conscience cleanse. He banged his fist on his desk. The nerve... She was worse than he ever knew.
“Sebastian.”
He whirled around and glared at Evelyn, who was holding one of the red folders. “You’d better leave now,” he growled. “I’m this close to doing something I’ll regret.”
She shut the door behind her, unfazed. “You shouldn’t have left.”
He paced. “How could you do this without telling me?”
“Because it was the only way. You wouldn’t have listened. She called me a few days ago and told me everything. Trust me, I was mad. But then she explained her idea and that she could present it to us. It’s solid, Seb. It will saveThe Times.” She held it out in front of him. “Just take a look at it.”
His mind went back to the day Jade had walked into his office and had held out the Harrington folder the same way his sister was holding out this one. “Fine,” he said, snatching it from her. “Now get out.”
Evelyn complied and shut the door behind her.
Seb stalked to the trash can, ready to drop the folder where it belonged. He held it up, then held back. He was furious with Evelyn, but he knew she lovedThe Timesas much as he did, and she wasn’t a pushover. So whatever Jade had said to convince her to set up the meeting behind his back had to have merit.
What if Jade was right? What if her proposal would keepThe Timesgoing? Was he going to let his personal feelings and judgment get in the way of a sound business decision?
He plopped down in his chair, ignored the groaning squeaks, and opened the folder. True to Jade form, the proposal was thorough, organized... and good. Really good. He sat back and looked through the prospectus. She was proposing that some form of ownership, either partial or total, was made available to Clementine residents. There were a whole bunch of numbers andequations and business terms he wasn’t familiar with, but Flora would be. She could examine the financial merits and plan implementation and give him some insight.
When he got to the back of the folder, there was a handwritten note. He pulled it out, recognizing the script. He almost didn’t read it, then forced himself to.
Dear Sebastian,
If you’ve made it to this note, I thank you for reading the proposal. I wouldn’t have blamed you if you didn’t. I want to explain to you why I did this.
I found out from Miles that you were selling The Times, and I was shocked and saddened. I know how much you love this paper and Clementine. I couldn’t stand the idea of you giving it up. I talked with an acquisitions and merger expert, and she helped me develop this plan. It’s only a summary, and there are lots of moving pieces to make it happen. If you and your staff decide you want to go this route, she’ll help you with the details.
I’m not good with words like you are, but I’ll try anyway. I’m so, so sorry for taking your ledger and for sneaking into your office. I take every bit of responsibility for it. But that’s not my biggest regret.
I always seem to get in my own way, and that comes from only trusting myself. I should have trusted you enough to tell you about trying to adopt Logan. I should have told you about the ledger as soon as I took it. I should have let myself do the easiest thing in the world—allowing you fully into my life. I was a fool, Sebastian. I still am.
I hope this plan will save The Times, and I hope it will in some small part make up for my mistakes. Most of all, I hope someday you can forgive me.
