Chapter 18 - The Choice
Julian reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone. He dialed his personal lawyer on speakerphone.
"David, it's Julian. Initiate the sale of my controlling shares in Vance Analytics. Distribute forty percent to the employee profit-sharing pool, and liquidate the rest."
The Chairman’s jaw dropped. "Julian, you're talking about billions of dollars! You're throwing away your life's work!"
"My life's work," Julian said, hanging up the phone, "is standing right behind me."
He looked at the board members, his eyes completely devoid of the ruthless ambition they were accustomed to seeing. "Vance Analytics was a chapter of my life. It's over. Find a new CEO. If you come to my home again, I will have you arrested for trespassing."
The two men stared at him in horrified shock, realizing he was absolutely serious. Defeated, they climbed back into the Escalade and drove away, the tires kicking up slush.
Julian turned to Clara. She was crying, a brilliant, radiant smile breaking across her face.
She dropped the groceries in the snow and ran to him, throwing her arms around his neck. Julian caught her, spinning her around in the freezing air, laughing loudly and freely.
May you like
"You really sold it?" she asked, burying her cold nose in his neck.
"I'm unemployed," he grinned. "I hope you make decent money at the gallery, Mrs. Vance, because I'm going to need you to support my newfound woodworking hobby."
