Chapter 5 - The New Horizon
The penthouse suite was quiet once again.
Richard walked over to a small mahogany bar near the corner of the room, pulled out three glasses, and poured three fingers of twenty-year-old single malt scotch into each.
He walked back, handing one glass to Ethan and one to me.
“To truth in accounting,” Richard said, raising his glass with a warm, genuine smile. “And to family.”
Ethan touched his glass to Richard’s. “To family.”
We drank. The smooth, smoky whiskey warmed my throat as I looked at my husband. The tension that had held his jaw rigid for three weeks was entirely gone. In its place was the calm, confident demeanor of a man who knew his worth had been fully vindicated.
“Ethan,” Richard said, setting his glass on the marble mantelpiece. “Brightwell’s Chief Technology Officer position has been vacant since last month. The board was reviewing external candidates from Silicon Valley.”
Ethan set his glass down, listening intently.
“I’m canceling the search,” Richard announced firmly. “On Monday morning, the board will formally vote on your appointment as Vice President of Systems Architecture and Chief Technology Officer.”
Ethan blinked, taken aback. “Richard... I’m honored, but... I don't want anyone on the board thinking this promotion came because of Claire.”
Richard laughed—a loud, booming laugh that echoed off the high ceilings.
“Ethan, my boy, you just saved the company from a $1.4 million accounting disaster and a potential Securities and Exchange Commission investigation! Claire didn't write your code. She didn't fix your spreadsheets. You did that entirely on your own.”
Richard stepped forward, clapping a heavy, supportive hand onto Ethan’s shoulder.
“You earned this seat seven years ago when you refused to let bad data pass your desk. Claire simply made sure the garbage got thrown out before it ruined the house.”
Ethan looked at me, his eyes shining with deep emotion.
“What do you think, Mrs. Vance-Bennett?” Ethan asked softly, a playful smile touching his lips. “Should I take the job?”
I walked over to him, wrapping my arms around his waist, resting my head against his chest.
May you like
“Only if you promise to give your new CTO bonus to Teresa, Ray, Owen, and Noah,” I teased gently.
Ethan laughed, wrapping his arms around me, pulling me tight against him. “Done. They’re getting the best holiday bonuses in the history of Apex Hospitality.”
