Chapter 7 - The Announcement Nicholas Never Expected
Emmett stood beside the children’s table.
He did not move toward the stage.
He did not ask for a microphone.
He simply spoke, and the guests leaned closer to hear him.
“For the past six months, Jenna Hart has served as my principal executive speechwriter and strategic communications adviser.”
Nicholas gripped the back of an empty chair.
Emmett opened the envelope.
“During that time, she identified significant weaknesses in the way Stewart Global communicates with employees, investors, and the communities affected by our decisions.”
He removed a letter.
“She did not merely improve language. She challenged facts. She rejected claims that could not be supported. She reminded senior executives that credibility cannot be manufactured after trust has been lost.”
Jenna felt hundreds of eyes on her.
But she no longer wanted to disappear.
“The board has approved the creation of a new global division,” Emmett continued. “It will oversee leadership communications, corporate transparency, and narrative integrity across every Stewart company.”
He unfolded the letter.
“We have offered Jenna the position of Chief Narrative and Integrity Officer.”
A wave of surprised conversation moved across the lawn.
One of the Stewart board members stood and began applauding.
Another followed.
Then Victoria.
Then her father.
Within seconds, the reception filled with applause.
Jenna remained seated, overwhelmed.
Leo tugged her sleeve.
“Are you the boss?”
“Apparently.”
“Do bosses still draw dragons?”
“The good ones do.”
Nicholas did not applaud.
He looked as though the ground beneath him had shifted.
“That’s wonderful,” he said eventually. “Obviously, I always knew Jenna was talented.”
Jenna looked at him.
“No, you didn’t.”
His smile cracked.
“I encouraged your writing.”
“You called it a little job.”
“I was teasing.”
“You introduced me as unemployed at Dad’s birthday dinner.”
“I said you were between permanent positions.”
“I had earned more that year than I ever had before.”
“How was I supposed to know that?”
“You could have asked.”
Nicholas glanced at the guests, desperate to end the exchange.
“We’re not doing this here.”
“You started it here,” Victoria said.
Her voice was quiet, but it carried.
Nicholas turned toward his bride.
“Victoria, please.”
She looked at Jenna.
“Did you write the welcome speech my father gave tonight?”
Jenna nodded.
“And Nicholas’s toast last night?”
Another nod.
Victoria’s expression changed.
She looked at her husband with a mixture of disappointment and dawning recognition.
“You told me you wrote it alone.”
“I gave her the ideas.”
“You told everyone the words came directly from your heart.”
“They did.”
“Through your sister.”
Nicholas’s father-in-law stood slowly.
“This may not be the best time for business discussions.”
Nicholas seized the opportunity.
“Exactly. Tonight is about the wedding.”
Emmett folded the appointment letter.
“I agree.”
Nicholas exhaled.
“Thank you.”
“That is why I will not discuss the Aurelius investment in detail.”
Nicholas’s relief vanished.
Emmett continued.
“But I should correct one assumption. The investment has not been approved.”
Nicholas’s face became rigid.
“You said your board was reviewing the proposal.”
“We are.”
“We submitted everything you requested.”
“You submitted projections described as confirmed revenue.”
Nicholas glanced at Victoria.
“That is not accurate.”
Emmett’s expression hardened.
“It is entirely accurate.”
“This isn’t the place.”
“No,” Emmett agreed. “The appropriate place will be Monday’s formal review meeting, where you may explain the unpaid vendor accounts, the inflated client retention statistics, and the contracts your company listed before clients signed them.”
Victoria stepped away from Nicholas.
“What unpaid accounts?”
He turned to her.
“It’s temporary cash flow pressure.”
“You told me the company was profitable.”
“It will be.”
“That is not what I asked.”
Nicholas looked at Jenna.
Suspicion replaced panic.
“You told him.”
“I didn’t know the details until yesterday.”
“But you’re involved in the review.”
“I disclosed the conflict. I won’t make the investment decision.”
“This is unbelievable.”
“What is unbelievable?” Jenna asked. “That your company is being examined, or that your sister has a seat in the room?”
Nicholas stared at her.
For years, he had assumed Jenna’s silence meant powerlessness.
Now he finally understood that she had been silent because she had principles.
Emmett placed the appointment letter in front of her.
“There is one more question,” he said.
Jenna knew what it was.
He had offered her the position privately. She had asked for time.
Now the entire wedding waited for her answer.
She looked at Nicholas.
Then at the family table.
Then at the children’s drawings scattered around her.
“I accept,” she said.
The applause returned, louder than before.
Emmett smiled and shook her hand.
“Welcome to the executive team.”
Nicholas lowered himself into the nearest chair.
It was the smallest chair at the children’s table.
May you like
For once, no one moved to make him more comfortable.
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