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“And now it’s mine,” I said simply. “The question is what role you see for yourself in its future.”
Sutton didn’t move an inch no matter how close I now stood. I could smell her perfume and I could tell it was something subtle and expensive that suited her perfectly.
“That depends on what future you envision,” she replied. “Ashcroft Group doesn’t exactly have a reputation for preserving what it acquires.”
“We improve what we acquire,” I corrected. “Sometimes that means stripping away the dead weight. Other times it means identifying the true value and nurturing it.”
“And how do you classify Prescott Vantage?”
“That remains to be determined,” I said. “Though I suspect you already know where the true value lies.”
“Our clients trust us,” she said. “That trust has been built over decades.”
“Trust,” I repeated. “An interesting commodity. Easily broken, nearly impossible to repair.”
Sutton’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Is that a threat?”
“An observation.” I checked my watch. “We have twelve minutes before the announcement. Walk with me.”
It wasn’t a request, and she knew it. After a brief hesitation that I found both amusing and predictable, she picked up everything she brought with her and fell into step beside me as I led her out of the conference room. Howard was waiting just outside, as promised, but I merely nodded to him as we passed. The look on his face was priceless, but he didn’t attempt to stop us.
“Where are we going?” Sutton asked as we moved down the hallway.
“Your office. I’d like to see it.”
“Why?”
I glanced at her. “Professional curiosity.”
We walked in silence after that, but that quietness was only on the surface. I could feel her eyes watching my every move, continuing to build on the profile she was already putting together of me. It would also not be a bit surprising if every second she spent with me was pushing her anger about what was happening to the company that she should have inherited.
Oh well.
When we reached her office, she pushed open the door and said, “Here it is!”
Her enthusiasm was laced with sarcasm and to be honest, it somewhat surprised me. I was so used to hearing about how composed and professional she was and now she was showing real emotion. It was as if the Ice Queen had slightly thawed.
I stepped inside and took in every detail of her workspace. The space was very organized and included a few framed diplomas and client recognition awards on the wall.
“Your office looks exactly how I expected it to look,” I commented. I moved to her desk, picking up a small silver paperweight, turning it over in my hand. “Did you choose this space, or was it assigned to you?”
“I chose it,” she replied, her tone clipped as she touched her things. “The natural light is better for long workdays.”
“Practical,” I observed, setting the paperweight down where I’d found it. “Like everything else about you.”
Her eyes shifted into a glare. “Is that meant to be an insult?”
“Quite the opposite.” I moved to the window to take in the view. Not as impressive as mine, but decent for this part of the city. “I find practicality refreshing in an industry built on smoke and mirrors.”
I turned back to face her. “Tell me something, Sutton. What did you envision for Prescott Vantage before today?”
She hesitated, clearly thinking about how she wanted to respond. “Growth within our current clientele. Expansion into adjacent markets where our expertise would transfer naturally.”
“Conservative,” I remarked. “Your father’s influence, I imagine.”
A flash of annoyance crossed her face. “My strategy was based on sustainable growth, not short-term gains that compromise our reputation.”
“And yet here we are.” I gestured around us. “With Ashcroft Group now at the helm.”
