Uncovering You 4: Retribution Read Free

He has no secrets from me? Really ?
    What was up with the way his hand tightened over my shoulder when he said that? Were it coming from anyone else, I would have been sure that a gesture like that implied protectiveness.
    “…so you see,” Esteban’s words pull me back to the present, “…Dextran Technologies can provide Stonehart Industries with the experience you are looking for. In fact, nobody is better positioned to leverage our existing strategic partnerships. In the case of a merger, Stonehart Industries would gain control over—”
    “Not a merger,” Stonehart interrupts. “An acquisition.”
    Esteban clears his throat. “Yes. Ahem. I was hoping to persuade you to reconsider that part of the—”
    “No,” Stonehart cuts in. The word is not cruel or cutting. It simply is. “I will not tolerate a merger, and I will not waste my time with anything other than an acquisition. You knew the terms when I invited you here.” He raises an eyebrow. “Do you insist on trying to change them this late in the game?”
    Stonehart’s words carry more weight and power than anything I’ve ever heard.
    “No, no,” Esteban backtracks quickly. “It was just a suggestion.”
    “A poor one.”
    Esteban swallows and keeps going. “Yes.” He nods. “You’re right, of course. Yes. Anyway, in case of an acquisition , Stonehart Industries would have immediate access to the industry connections so prized by our rival firms, while Dextran—”
    “Excuse me.” Stonehart holds up one hand. “I feel awful, because I just realized that Lilly is sitting here with absolutely no context for our conversation.” He looks at me and smiles. “Esteban is the founder of a technology firm called Dextran. They produce some of the best silicon chips in the Middle East. They own the factories Intel uses to manufacture their processors in Israel.
    “Unfortunately,” Stonehart spares a glance at Esteban, “Dextran has suffered from poor management decisions in recent months. They are close to defaulting on their loans, even though they own some of the best and most prized IP in the industry. I invited Esteban here to discuss the possibility of a friendly takeover by a company with enough economic clout to negotiate favorable terms for repayment of Dextran’s debts.”
    He pauses for a moment and looks out the window at the sparkling sea. “Esteban’s position is unenviable, Lilly. He has a brilliant mind for hardware—” I see Esteban’s face light up, “—but a poor understanding of the business world. In fact, it’s fascinating that Dextran has lasted this long with him at the helm.”
    Esteban bristles, affronted. “Our business tactics have made us prosper for fifteen years—”
    “Built on the back of government loans and handouts,” Stonehart cuts in. “And now that the well’s dried up, where does that leave you? I know everything there is to know about your company, Esteban. I have already made up my mind about whether or not I am going to go through with the acquisition.”
    Esteban’s eagerness betrays him. He sits—if it were possible—even straighter. “Yes?” he asks.
    “ I am ,” Stonehart commits after a pause. “But surely you could have deduced that. The real reason I invited you here, Esteban, is to decide whether or not to sack you after the acquisition.”
    Esteban’s eyes widen on the spot. “You insult me—”
    “Is honesty an insult?” Stonehart counters. “The truth is, Esteban, I find you weak. I have always said that a firm’s employees should reflect the company’s own values. That reasoning applies even more so to those at the top.
    “The acquisition is going to go through. I confirmed it this morning. Even as we speak, different subsidiaries of Stonehart Industries are buying up remaining Dextran stock. By the end of, oh, say, the hour? I’ll have majority control. Then it’s just a matter of convincing your remaining shareholders to sell what they own, and the takeover