Chapter 5 - Rebuilding from the Ashes
By Friday afternoon, the corporate restructuring was moving at breakneck speed.
Jessi stood in the center of the open-plan drafting bullpen where dozens of junior architects and project managers worked. For years, this floor had been dominated by Luca’s booming, insecure voice shouting orders and taking credit for her designs. Now, an unfamiliar, productive calm filled the space.
Marcus walked up beside her, holding two cups of black coffee. He handed one to Jessi.
“Word has leaked to the financial press,” Marcus said quietly, watching the team work. “Vance Capital stock took a hit this morning, but investors are rallying because Alba Horizon Holdings stepped in to guarantee the active development loans.”
“They’re rallying because they realize the person who actually built the projects is finally running them,” Jessi replied, taking a sip of the coffee.
“How are you holding up?” Marcus asked, his tone softening. “I know tearing down fourteen years of your life isn't simple, even when the foundation was rotten.”
“I’m not mourning the life, Marcus. I’m mourning the time I wasted trying to prop up a man made entirely of ego,” Jessi said, looking out across the drafting tables. “When you build something on top of quicksand, eventually it sinks. I’m just glad I owned the land underneath it.”
Marcus smiled faintly. “Chloe tried calling me twice this morning. She’s locked out of her apartment, her cards are frozen, and her mother won't take her calls.”
“And you answered?”
“I blocked her number before breakfast,” Marcus said calmly. “When you break a contract of trust, you don't get a renegotiation.”
“Sound philosophy,” Jessi agreed.
Just then, her executive assistant, Maya, hurried over, holding a tablet. “Jessi, we have an emergency in the Midtown Gateway project. The primary concrete supplier just pulled out because of Luca’s default.”
Maya looked terrified, bracing herself for the kind of panic Luca used to inflict upon hearing bad news.
Jessi didn’t blink. She simply took the tablet, scrolled through the supplier directory, and tapped a screen. “Call Apex Engineering. Tell them Alba Horizon Holdings is stepping in to underwrite their contract directly, and I want a double shift on-site starting Monday morning.”
“Yes, ma’am!” Maya said, her eyes widening with newfound respect before she rushed off to make the call.
Marcus raised his coffee cup in a silent toast. “You realize, of course, that the board wants to officially rename the company.”
May you like
Jessi looked at him, raising an eyebrow. “To what?”
“Horizon Development Group,” Marcus said. “No more Vances. Just the foundation.”
