"Mr. Harrison?"
Richard stood.
"Good morning."
"I'm Emily Carter. I'm very sorry you had to wait."
"Please don't apologize. You have done nothing wrong."
Emily looked at him carefully.
"Mr. Reed is expecting you."
"I hope so."
She hesitated.
"Would you like me to bring you some water?"
"That would be kind."
Emily returned with a glass.
Richard accepted it with a grateful nod.
Then Alexander emerged from his office.
He was speaking into his phone.
"No, tell them the offer expires today. If they want the contract, they need to accept our terms."
He ended the call and looked toward the reception area.
His eyes landed on Richard.
For a second, he appeared confused.
Then recognition struck him.
"You!"
Richard remained calm.
"Good morning, Mr. Reed."
Alexander looked at Emily.
"Why is he here?"
Emily answered carefully.
"Mr. Harrison has arrived for your scheduled meeting."
Alexander laughed.
"Mr. Harrison?"
He looked at Richard again.
The older man's expression did not change.
"Yes."
Alexander's smile disappeared.
But instead of apologizing, he became defensive.
"Well, nobody told me you were already downstairs."
Richard glanced toward Emily.
"I believe your assistant informed you."
Alexander ignored the comment.
"Come into my office."
Richard began walking.
Alexander turned toward Emily.
"And cancel my next appointment. I need to deal with this."
Emily watched them disappear behind the glass doors.
She felt something unpleasant in her stomach.
She had a terrible feeling about what was about to happen.
Chapter 4: The Conversation That Went Wrong
Alexander's office was enormous.
A large window overlooked the city. Behind his desk stood a bookshelf filled with business books that he had purchased mostly for decoration.
Two expensive paintings hung on the wall.
A crystal award sat beside a photograph of Alexander shaking hands with the company's chief executive officer.
Richard looked around quietly.
"Impressive office."
Alexander sat behind his desk.
"Thank you. Let's get straight to business."
Richard took a seat.
"Before we discuss the agreement, I'd like to ask you something."
Alexander checked his watch.
"Make it quick."
Richard opened his leather folder.
"How long have you been with Sterling International?"
"Seven years."
"And how many people currently work under your division?"
"Two hundred and forty."
"Do you know their names?"
Alexander frowned.
"What?"
"The people who work for you. Do you know their names?"
Alexander leaned back.
"That's not particularly relevant to today's meeting."
"Perhaps not to the meeting. But it may be relevant to your leadership."
Alexander gave a short laugh.
"Mr. Harrison, with all due respect, I'm running a business, not a charity."
Richard nodded.
"I understand. And what do you believe is the purpose of a business?"
"Profit. Growth. Shareholder value."
"Anything else?"
Alexander looked irritated.
"Those are the things that keep a company alive."
Richard folded his hands.
"And what keeps the people inside that company alive?"
Alexander stared at him.
"Salary."
Richard smiled sadly.
"That is a very narrow answer."
Alexander stood and walked toward the window.
"Look, I know you're an important investor. I respect your position. But I don't think we need a philosophy lesson."
Richard's voice remained gentle.
"Leadership is not a philosophy lesson, young man. It is a responsibility."
Alexander turned.
"Responsibility? I have more responsibility in one week than most people have in an entire year."
Richard studied him.
"Then you should understand the weight of it."
Alexander returned to his desk.
"Let's discuss the acquisition."
He opened a document.
"The proposed restructuring will reduce operating costs by approximately eighteen percent. Several departments will be consolidated. We can eliminate unnecessary positions and improve shareholder returns."
Richard looked at the figures.
"How many employees will lose their jobs?"
"Approximately four hundred."
"And what happens to their families?"
Alexander sighed.
"We can't make every business decision based on individual circumstances."
Richard nodded slowly.
"Of course. But we can make decisions without forgetting that people are involved."
Alexander pushed the document toward him.
"All I need is your approval."
Richard did not touch it.
"I won't approve this plan."
Alexander stared at him.
"What?"
"I won't approve it in its current form."
Alexander's face turned red.
"Do you understand how much work has gone into this?"
"Yes."
"Then why are you wasting my time?"
"Because the plan is incomplete."
"According to whom?"
"According to the people who will suffer from it."