There it is. The admission we’ve been waiting for.
“Why not?” Dad sets down his tablet, giving her his full attention.
“Because…” She struggles with the words. “Because I don’t want to leave here. I don’t want to leave you.”
“Then don’t,” Dad says simply.
“It’s not that simple. I have a career. Bills. An apartment?—”
“All of which can be handled.” Dad leans back in his chair. “Unless you actually want to return to Chicago and your old life.”
“I don’t.” No hesitation. “But I can’t just not work. I’m not—I don’t want to be some kept woman living off?—”
“That’s not what I’m suggesting.” Dad’s voice is firm. “I’m offering you a job.”
Samantha blinks. “What?”
“A real position. In our operations.” He gestures to me. “Donovan’s been managing brand strategy for our acquisitions, but he doesn’t have the bandwidth. We need someone who understands marketing, consumer psychology, and how to position companies for growth.”
I watch her process this.
“We’re acquiring three companies in the next quarter,” I add. “Tech, retail, and hospitality. Each one needs a complete brandoverhaul. Your campaign for the AI assistant—the philosophy debate—that showed strategic thinking we can use.”
“You want me to do marketing for your acquisitions?” She’s trying to understand if this is real.
“I want you to lead brand strategy,” Dad corrects. “Full-time position. Remote work from here. You’d have a team, a budget, and autonomy to execute your vision.”
“What’s the catch?”
“No catch.” He spreads his hands. “You’re good at what you do. We need someone good. It’s a mutually beneficial arrangement.”
“What about salary?” She’s being practical now. Smart.
I pull up the offer on my tablet and turn it toward her. “This is what we’re proposing.”
Her eyes widen when she sees the number. “That’s three times what I make now.”
“That’s market rate for this level of responsibility,” I say. “Plus benefits. Health insurance. Retirement matching. Standard package.”
She’s staring at the tablet with wide eyes. “This is a real offer.”
“Did you think we were joking?” Kai grins. “Dad doesn’t joke about business.”
“I just—” She looks between the three of us. “Why would you offer me this?”
“Because you’re qualified,” Dad says. “And because we want you here.”
The last part hangs in the air. Personal and professional mixing in ways that would make HR nervous in any normal company.
But we’re not a normal company.
“When would I start?” she asks.
“Immediately. We’ll draw up the paperwork today.” Dad stands. “But first, you need to quit your current job properly.”
She looks down at her phone. “David’s going to lose his mind.”
“Let him.” I lean forward. “You don’t owe him anything beyond professional courtesy. Give him notice and move on.”
