Chapter 219
Eleanor had been keeping a close eye on the upcoming conference—a
roundtable hosted by several leading research institutes in the country. She nodded thoughtfully. “Alright. Let me make arrangements for my daughter, and we’ll attend together p>
Goodwin & Co.
Roland Yeaton was in a panic. News had just arrived that they were switching suppliers and ending their partnership with him, and he was desperate to speak to Ian Goodwin and salvage the deal. If he could just get a meeting, he was sure he could turn things around.
Gavin, lan’s assistant, appeared from the elevator lobby, spotting Roland anxiously waiting in the lounge. With professional courtesy, Gavin approached. “Mr. Yeaton, I’m afraid Mr. Goodwin isn’t available to see you right now. Please come back another day p>
Roland’s heart sank. Was lan really going to let him sink without a lifeline?
“I won’t take up much of Mr. Goodwin’s time-just ten minutes, that’s all I need.” Roland pleaded, certain that if he could just get in front of lan, he could convince him to help.
Gavin maintained his polite smile but his tone was firm. “I’m sorry, Mr. Yeaton. Mr. Goodwin is busy. I have to ask you to leave p>
With nothing left to do, Roland left the lobby of Goodwin & Co., sat in his car, and lit a cigarette with trembling hands before dialing his eldest daughter, Vanessa.
“Hello, Dad?” Vanessa picked up instantly.
“Vanessa, I need your help. I’m in trouble over here, and Mr. Goodwin won’t see me p>
“What? You went to see lan p>
“What’s wrong with that? Am I not allowed to talk to him?” Roland snapped. As far as he was concerned, lan was his future son-in-law.
“Dad, that’s not what I meant. Next time you want to see him, could you at least let me know first?” Vanessa tried to keep her voice calm.
“Fine. Call him now. I have to see him today. No exceptions.” Roland pressed, hoping to leverage his daughter’s relationship.
“Dad, just calm down. I’ll call him and see if he has time p>
“Alright. But this is serious-he’s the only one who can help me p>
“Is this about the equipment supply issues?” Vanessa ventured.
Roland couldn’t hold back his frustration. “Yes! Jude Vaughn wants to cut off our partnership and put the contract back out to bid. I’ve sunk a fortune into this project—if it falls through, my company’s finished p>
“Okay, Dad, just take a breath. I’ll talk to lan and see what can be done,” Vanessa reassured him.
But instead of calling, Vanessa grabbed her bag and drove straight to Goodwin & Co.
As a frequent visitor, Vanessa was well-known at the front desk; she didn’t need
an appointment and was waved straight upstairs to the executive floor.
Gavin was busy with paperwork when he looked up to see Vanessa striding purposefully toward him. He stood to greet her. “Ms. Shannon, what brings you here today p>
“Is lan in his office p>
“He is, but p>
Vanessa cut him off with a determined glance. “Assistant Young, I need to speak with him urgently. Could you let him know I’m here p>
Gavin understood exactly where Vanessa stood in lan’s priorities. He knocked on lan’s office door, stepped inside, and reemerged less than a minute later. “Mr. Goodwin will see you now, Ms. Shannon p>
Vanessa smiled, squared her shoulders, and entered the office.
lan was standing by the floor-to-ceiling windows, one hand tucked in his pocket, staring out at the city.
“Ian, about my dad’s situation-could you Vanessa didn’t bother with pleasantries; she got straight to the point.
“I’ll assign him to another project. Go home and tell him to withdraw from the lab contract. Don’t give Jude Vaughn any more trouble.” lan’s tone was cool but not unkind.
Vanessa knew her father was in the wrong this time, and lan’s willingness to offer another opportunity was more than generous.
“Thank you, lan.” She gazed at his tall, elegant silhouette, her eyes filled with adoration.
Setting her bag aside, she took a deep breath and walked slowly toward him.