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“What have you found?” I’m not in the mood for small talk, not with Crystal’s ‘engagement’ announcement already making the headlines.
“Marcus Davidson is exactly what you suspected,“ Jaxson opens a leather portfolio. “A corporate raider with a sophisticated methodology. He identifies vulnerable companies, usually family-owned operations, then systematically dismantles them from the inside out.”
My jaw clenches. “And Sterling Motors?”
“Is his current target.” Jaxson slides over several documents. “Your father’s company caught his attention a few years ago, right around the time your mother’s illness became publicknowledge.”
“Son of a bitch.” The timing hits like a punch to the gut. “He was watching, waiting for Dad to get desperate.”
“Precisely. The medical bills, the experimental treatments—all of it created the perfect storm of vulnerability. That’s when he struck, offering what appeared to be a lifeline.”
“The loan. The stock options.”
Jaxson nods. “Which, combined with the board members he’s already compromised, puts him in striking distance of a controlling interest.”
“What happens if he gets controlling interest?” I ask, though I have a chilling feeling that I already know.
“With the shares he already holds,” Jaxson states, “and the influence he’s secured with the two other board members, If he calls for a vote of no confidence in your father or pushes for a major change in direction, he’ll have the numbers to make it happen.”
I grip the edge of the table, the weight of his words settling heavily on my chest. “So, what you’re saying is... he could force my dad out. Take the company.”
“Exactly,” Jaxson says, his tone matter-of-fact. “And from what we’ve found so far, that’sprecisely what he’s planning.”
“Who on the board?”
“Robert Chen and William Hartley.” He shows me surveillance photos of Marcus meeting with both men. “They’re facing their own financial pressures, which Davidson is expertly exploiting.”
I recognize both names—Chen’s been with the company since before I was born, and Hartley was one of Dad’s closest friends. “Can we turn them?”
“That’s where it gets interesting.” Jaxson leans forward. “My team has uncovered evidence of Davidson’s pattern with previous acquisitions. It’s... not pretty.”
He spreads out more documents—newspaper clippings, financial reports, court filings. A pattern emerges: companies gutted, promises broken, showing former owners left with nothing.
“In every case,” Jaxson continues, “he made similar promises to board members. Support the takeover, keep your position, and maybe even advance. Know how many actually benefited?”
“None ofthem,” I guess.
“Worse. Many ended up facing criminal charges when Davidson’s less-than-legal methods came to light. He’s very good at leaving others holding the bag.”
Hope flares. “So if we show Chen and Hartley what happened to their counterparts in other companies...”
“They might reconsider their alliance.” Jaxson gathers the documents. “But we need more time. Concrete evidence, not just patterns and possibilities.”
“How long?”
“Two weeks, maybe three. My team is close to accessing some very interesting offshore accounts.”
I think about Crystal’s announcement, Lila waiting back at the duplex, and Dad finally starting to fight back. “The balloon payment is coming due. I don’t know if we have that long.”
“Which brings us to the engagement announcement.” Jaxson’s expression is knowing. “Quite the timely leak by Davidson’s people.”
“I never agreed to—“
“No, but it works in our favor.” He holds up a hand when I start to protest. “Think about it. Davidson believes he has youcornered. The more secure he feels, the more likely he is to get sloppy.”
“You want me to play along?” The idea turns my stomach. “Pretend I’m happy about marrying Crystal while you dig for more dirt?”
“I want you to give my team time to build an ironclad case.” His voice softens slightly. “Look, I understand there are... personal complications. But if we move too soon, Davidson will bury the evidence and accelerate his timeline. Is that a risk you’re willing to take?”