‘So I’m not power-crazed?’
‘No.’
‘A control freak?’
‘That one maybe a little.’
‘Not a team player.’
‘We all have certain strengths and weaknesses.’
‘You should have been a politician, Clara.’ He stood, the force of his movement sending his chair shooting backwards to hit the wall. He paced towards the windows, looking out at the skyline.
‘You know why he’s done this,’ Clara said.
‘To belittle me? To undermine my decision in public so the whole board question it? To discredit Drummond Global?’
‘No. This isn’t a man who’s acted with his business head on. This is him bitch-slapping you for not welcoming him into the family with open arms. This is all to do with Cynthia. It’s personal. He feels threatened.’
‘Did you just say “bitch-slap”?’ Oliver turned back to face her.
‘I believe I did. I apologise.’
‘No, don’t apologise.’ He took a breath. ‘What do you think I should do?’
‘I really don’t trust the man,’ Clara said. ‘Something about all this doesn’t add up.’
‘Which bit?’
Clara adjusted her body in the chair. ‘Can I speak freely?’
‘Of course, Clara.’
‘Well, the merger from the beginning was always driven by the relationship he had with your father. Yes, they were friends, for a very long time, but I can’t help thinking that there was a reason your father never went into business with Andrew Regis in the first place.’
‘I have thought about that, Clara. I assumed, initially, when they were both starting out, they were working towards different goals, maybe sparking off the rivalry a little.’
‘Regis Software has nothing like the contracts Drummond Global has.’
‘I know that. But they have expertise in areas we haven’t broken into.’
‘And why hasn’t Drummond Global broken into those areas?’
‘Because we’ve been focused elsewhere.’
‘Maybe. But like I said, I don’t trust the man.’ She shook her head. ‘And this relationship with Cynthia… what’s his play there?’
‘You don’t think it’s genuine.’
‘Your mother is a very powerful woman on the board here.’
‘You think he wants that power.’
‘I’m not going to say that outright but I would just keep your mind open to all possibilities where Andrew is concerned.’
Oliver gritted his teeth. The thought of Andrew Regis having dishonourable intentions towards his mother made his blood boil more than thinking he hadhonourableintentions towards her. He still hadn’t heard anything from Daniel Pearson. If there was dirt tobe found, Daniel would find it. Perhaps there was nothing there. Maybe Andrew’s motivations in all areas were genuine.
‘What do I do about this?’ Oliver asked, indicating the magazine Clara was still holding.
