Chapter 235
Chapter 235:
Corbin didn’t hesitate for a moment, his tone firm. “Wherever you’re going, I’m going with you p>
From the day he’d stepped out of college and started as an intern at VantagePath Realty to his current role as a sharp, dependable executive assistant, Brinley had been his mentor. She hadn’t just taught him professional skills—she’d given him a sense of pride and confidence he hadn’t known he needed.
When his mother had fallen gravely ill last year, it was Brinley who paid for the surgery and insisted he take three months off to care for her.
That debt of kindness was something he’d carry for life.
Brinley’s lips curved into a warm smile as she gave his shoulder an encouraging pat. “Come on. Let’s hear what the team thinks first p>
The conference room buzzed with quiet conversation, packed wall to wall.
𝗥𝘦𝖺𝗱 𝗈𝘯 аn𝘺 𝖽𝖾𝗏iс𝘦 𝘰𝗻 g𝘢𝘭ոo𝗏еls.𝗰оm
VantagePath’s entire staff had gathered—barely forty people including reception—yet the air felt charged, almost too full. The moment Brinley stepped inside, the low chatter cut off at once. Dozens of heads turned toward her, the weight of their attention pressing like a spotlight.
“Thank you all for making time in your packed schedules,” she said, striding to the podium with her usual brisk confidence.
She didn’t waste time on pleasantries. With a click, the projector flickered to life behind her.
“I’ve called everyone here today because I have an announcement to make.” Her gaze swept the room, steady and resolute. “I’ve decided it’s time to formally merge VantagePath Realty into Shaw Group p>
A hush followed her words, quickly replaced by a low ripple of conversation rolling through the room.
Faces showed everything from surprise to quiet curiosity, yet not one person looked defiant.
Brinley raised her hand, and the room gradually settled again. “I know this decision may come as a shock,” she continued calmly. “So let me be clear. This isn’t me abandoning VantagePath. This is me taking what we’ve built and giving it a larger platform—one that can protect our people, expand our reach, and create opportunities bigger than what we have now p>
The room grew quiet once more, this time tinged with emotion.
In the front row sat the engineering director, Kent Brown, one of the first to place his faith in Brinley.
Years ago, when his previous construction firm went under, she had taken a chance on him—handing him the reins to the CloudRealm project and trusting him completely.
Now he rose, his voice ringing with conviction. “Mrs. Moore, VantagePath gave me a fresh start. Now that you’re stepping up to shoulder Shaw Group’s future, I’ll stand with you and face whatever comes p>
A design department manager stood next, her tone firm despite the emotion in her eyes. “Count me in too. When I was pregnant and my last company tried to push me out, you let me work from home with full pay and even arranged rides for my prenatal checkups. I won’t forget that. I owe you for everything you’ve done for us p>
“We’re with you, Mrs. Moore!” someone shouted, igniting a wave of cheers.
“Yes! We’ll follow you no matter what p>
“Triple severance? Forget that! Sticking with you is the real chance of a lifetime p>
Brinley’s gaze swept across the room, her vision blurring as emotion welled in her eyes.
She had always known VantagePath’s benefits were among the most generous in the field. Year-end bonuses could match half a year’s salary, the company sent everyone on two overseas team-building trips annually, and they even offered medical grants for employees’ families in times of crisis.
Only now did she realize none of those perks were why her people stayed.
From the corner of the room, the receptionist suddenly stood, cheeks flushed, fingers twisting together nervously. “Mrs. Moore… I want to follow you too. I might only be the receptionist, but I promise I’ll give everything I’ve got and won’t drag the team down p>
Brinley’s expression softened. She nodded with a warm smile. “Then welcome aboard p>
When the meeting ended, the team filed out in small groups, voices buzzing with excitement as they speculated about the coming transition.
Corbin stepped in and handed Brinley a sheet, his voice hoarse but steady. “Mrs. Moore, everyone signed their intent to stay. Not a single name was missing p>
“Thank you for all your efforts.” Brinley accepted the sheet, her fingers lingering over the familiar signatures as warmth bloomed in her chest.
Memories of the company’s scrappy beginnings surfaced—those nights crammed into a drafty temporary office, eating greasy takeout while laughter echoed over the clatter of keyboards.
Those days had been hard, but the raw energy of those early struggles had built VantagePath into what it was now.
Snapping back to the present, Brinley straightened and flipped open the transition checklist. “This next phase is going to demand precision from everyone,” she said, calm but firm. “I need you to keep a close watch on every detail. With the current projects underway, I’ll handle partner communications myself. You focus on sorting the internal files and reformatting them to match Shaw Group’s standards p>
“Got it,” Corbin said with a nod.
Brinley had just passed him the checklist when her phone buzzed sharply on the table.
The caller ID made her brows knit. It was Alayah Palmer—Colin’s mother.
Her thumb hovered for a moment before she accepted and lifted the phone to her ear, her tone even. “Mrs. Palmer p>
“Brinley…” Alayah’s voice drifted through, weary yet carefully warm. “How have you been holding up p>
“Doing well.” Brinley’s smile came easily as she wandered toward the wide window, letting the light spill over her face. “How about you? I heard you were in the hospital not long ago p>
A pause stretched before Alayah finally answered with a tired sigh. “I’m much better now, resting at home p>
Her tone softened with guilt. “Brinley, I called because I owe you an apology… I just found out about all the foolish things Colin has done p>
Her voice caught as emotion bled through. “When you vanished for those three months, he was a shell of himself. When he came back, he confessed everything—told me how sorry he was. I gave him the scolding of his life. I nearly broke his leg over it p>