“It depends on the position, but we are proposing both. If it’s a position where they will have to spend time in Boston, say for meetings, then we will put them up in the hotel.” I take a deep breath. “Look, I know most businesses flock to the city because this is the place to be. As businessmen and women, we become entranced with the idea of New York City, and while we are doing well here, we could be better back in Boston. We will keep the office building and rent out the floors we no longer need. We will keep a small office space for anyone who is unable to make the move or work remotely. We will still have a presence in the city, but it will be on a smaller scale.”
“Besides, Boston is home to The Williamson Hotel. It will be good press to be going back to our roots,” Mason adds.
“Your father wanted to be in New York,” Florian hisses. “I’m not sure why you are here. You aren’t CEO anymore.”
He’s been angry since I let him know I would not support him as chairperson. Now he is bitter.
“I am still a legacy of the company. I stepped back as CEO and named my brother as my replacement because of my family, but I can step in at any time and take my rightful place back. I wanted to provide my input. With the company moving to Boston, I will be more involved. Not only that, but many of you also reside in Boston. Wouldn’t it make sense for our home base to be there?”
“We already have satellite offices across the world. It wouldn’t be hard to keep one going here,” I add.
“Why do you want to move now?” Florian challenges.
I keep my face neutral even though he angers me.
“As I outlined in my presentation, the cost of living in New York has risen by twenty-six percent in the last decade. That means we have had to increase wages to keep good employees on the payroll while also paying higher rates for our own utilities and such because of the increase. If we move to Boston, it would cut our costs by thirty-two percent. That is money that we can funnel back into the company or into the foundation as a tax write-off, saving the company money. Add in the publicity it would give us, and I think we could see the stock rising in the future.”
Mr. Marks nods while Florian seethes.
“I think we should vote,” Mr. O’Neal says. “Everyone has a piece of paper in front of them. Write down ‘approved’ or ‘denied.’ I will come around and collect them. I will then count them with a third-party, unbiased person who is waiting outside.”
Everyone does as he asks. After Mr. O’Neal collects all the strips of paper, he calls in his third party. Together they count three times before they look up.
“It has been approved. The Williamson Group will be moving to Boston.”
Fuck yes!
I’m so excited, I can barely hold back the smile threatening to form. I don’t want them to know how much this meant to me, though.
Mr. O’Neal passes around papers that I had him draw up ahead of time, and we take turns signing it, agreeing that this is going to happen. Even Florian reluctantly signs, making the votes unanimous.
The next thirty minutes go by in a blur until the meeting is over.
“Congratulations,” Miss Osborne says quietly as she stands.
“Thank you,” I tell her honestly. “I take it you voted for approval?”
She shrugs. “Hey, I’m all for family being with family. That’s what won me over in the end. Now if you’ll excuse me.”
As soon as she walks out, the room is clear with the exception of Mason and me.
I turn to my brother. “We did it,” I tell him, not bothering to hide my shock.
He places his hands on my shoulders and shakes me. “No, you did it.”
I shake my head. “I couldn’t have done it without you.”
“Bullshit. We both know you could have. Fuck, you get to move home,” he murmurs before pulling me in for a hug.
I wrap my arms around my brother and hug him back. Jesus Christ, it feels like I can breathe for the first time since I started putting this into motion.
It’s happening. It’s really happening. Everyone has signed off. All that’s left is to tell everyone and to put it into motion.
But first, there’s a woman I need to tell before word gets out.
I just hope she’s as happy about this move as I am.
Chapter
