379 Reynolds-Harper collaboration 2

"I am Christina Reynolds.", Mrs. Reynolds squeezed through her teeth.

Brianna waved her hand, indicating how that is not important. "I wanted to ask if you are a shareholder or maybe an employee of the Reynolds Publishing. I don't see an employee's badge. Do you have shares on your name?"

"No. I am…", Mrs. Reynolds paused while trying what to say without sounding silly. "An owner."

"I see.", Brianna murmured and turned to Quentin. "I didn't realize that your company has one owner. Should I talk to Mrs. Reynolds about the deals? No offense, but I prefer to negotiate my deals with the person in charge, especially when it involves these massive amounts of money. Does she have a higher authority in this company than you?"

"She doesn't.", Quentin said stiffly. "I am the CEO and that is my mother. Between my father and I, we own the majority of the Reynolds Publishing, but there are other shareholders as well."

Brianna blinked, showing an exaggerated surprise. "Oh… Your mother attends the company's board meetings even though she has no shares or an official role in the company? Do your other family members join in as well?", Brianna said mockingly and covered her mouth, clumsily hiding a vicious smile.

Mrs. Reynolds thought that she will blow up from anger. "Watch your mouth, you... you... homewrecker!"

Brianna frowned. "Excuse me, what home did I wreck? I will sue you for slander if you don't come up with some proof of what you said. And don't bother apologizing because it will not be accepted." She turned to Quentin. "Is your mother always like that, coming to board meetings and shouting insults at your business partners?"

Before Quentin could say anything, his father held his wife's hand. "Tina, sit and stop causing a commotion. This is a meeting."

Mrs. Reynolds was not happy about this. She swatted her husband's hand away. "Tim, how can you tell me to sit, when a mere bank-clerk is insulting me!"

Brianna's fake smile widened. "I assume that is the share-holding father of the CEO. You should listen to your husband, Mrs. Reynolds because your behavior does not belong in the professional setting. And what did I say to insult you? You called me a homewrecker, and for some reason, you are also calling me a clerk. OK. The second one might be my fault because I didn't introduce myself."

Brianna straightened her back and her eyes moved over the flabbergasted people in the room. "I am Brianna Harper, Senior Director at Harper Investments, currently in charge of all deals in the state of Washington."

Brianna sneered internally at the woman who was lost in her anger and inflated ego.

"You are welcome to check on the official website of Harper Investments, under the section of the company's leadership." Brianna turned to Quentin. "I must say that I expected some resistance since that is normal in companies who got lulled in a steady routine. However, that steadiness usually leads to their demise. What I didn't expect was to meet your mother who will be eager to insult me, and not only me, but she raised her voice on her husband like they are having a quarrel in their living room."

"How dare you talk to me like that!?", Mrs. Reynolds fumed. "I knew you are no-good as soon as I laid my eyes on you. You are latching onto my boy for benefits!"

Brianna's mouth formed an 'O' shape. "I thought that this is a serious company and not a family shit-show. I am not sorry to say that Harper Investment is pulling out of this deal, and all future ones. Luckily, we didn't sign anything today. Expect to hear from me about the termination of existing ones."

"Miss Harper…", it was Mrs. Durbin, the director of finances who called Brianna. "Can you reconsider not pulling out of existing deals? If you do that, our ongoing projects will lose funding, and it will cause cascading effects once our projects halt and we are unable to produce enough content for our upcoming releases. It might not be much for Harper Investments, but for Reynolds Publishing, that will be millions in losses, and we are already vulnerable."

Brianna looked at Mrs. Durbin with compassion. "I understand Mrs. Durbin, and I appreciate that you are aware of how much our successful collaboration means for Reynolds Publishing. Unfortunately for you, not everyone in this room shares your opinion. They are either not aware of how much financially you depend on my company, or maybe they want to sabotage Reynolds Publishing on purpose. I came here today because our collaboration so far was profitable and I had a wish to expand it, however… after being insulted like this, I don't think that is possible. As you said, these deals don't mean much for Harper Investments and I can't be a partner with someone who disrespects me, and whose board meetings are like a satiric comedy show. I am in the business of making money, but not at the cost of my self-esteem. I wish you a good day."

Brianna made one step away, and Quentin grabbed her arm.

"Miss Harper, please… don't leave like this. Give us a minute."

Brianna glanced at his hand that was holding onto her and Quentin released her like he burned himself.

"I apologize, Miss Harper. I hope you can give me a minute to sort this out. We had a good collaboration so far, and it would be a pity to be ruined due to one misunderstanding."

Brianna nodded once. "You have three minutes."

Quentin pulled his chair further away from the table and indicated to Brianna to sit, which she did. Mia moved to stand behind Brianna.

Quentin looked at his mother and narrowed his eyes angrily before his eyes swept over everyone present. "If you looked at the plans I proposed, you would see that this is our only way to save the company. Without these changes, in six months, we will meet here to discuss the layoff of our employees because we need to start cutting corners. I am negotiating with Harper Investments for more than three months and they finally agreed to make a major investment in Reynolds Publishing. I want you to raise your hand in a gesture of good faith if you agree with how this collaboration is something that should be done."

Several of Quentin's supporters immediately raised their hands, and one by one, most of the hands were raised.

Quentin looked at his parents who had conflicting expressions. "The two of you and a few of your loyal followers don't believe that we should move forward. Are you ready to bury the company because of your stubbornness? Are you proving Miss Harper to be correct when she said that someone here wants to sabotage Reynolds Publishing? How will that benefit you?"

Mr. Reynolds pressed his lips into a line and raised his hand. Two breaths later, Mrs. Reynolds did the same.

Quentin turned to Brianna. "Miss Harper, I believe that everyone understood the value of our cooperation. Can you please, resume with what you were saying? I will make sure to apologize properly for any emotional trauma you experienced so far, and I promise that it will not happen again. Reynolds Publishing is a serious company and we are adamant about succeeding."

Brianna squinted and tilted her head. "One condition."

"Which one?"

"If you can't be professional, Harper Investment will not provide funds no matter how good your plan is." She glanced at the people in the room. "Does any of you have your family members coming during work hours and during meetings to cause a commotion?"

Brianna saw that (almost) everyone shook their heads, and she asked her next question: "Can we all agree that this company should be devoid of family drama?"

Everyone nodded without hesitation. Well, not everyone, Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds were eyeing Brianna suspiciously.

Brianna smiled and her eyes fixed on Quentin. "Excellent! CEO Reynolds, I expect to hear that your parents are not part of the Reynolds Publishing going forward. They should be banned from entering this building and any others related to this company."

"What!?", Mrs. Reynolds shrieked.

Brianna's smile widened. "Starting today."

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