Chapter 20: Fox Finch Holding
Cassandra’s POV
Stella and I were both silent for a beat as we absorbed the information.
“Really?” Stella asked. “They want to meet with us? Fox Finch Holding? Let me see the email.”
I passed my phone over to her. I was just as shocked as she was. Fox Finch Holding was a massive company with connections and clients we could only dream about. That’s one of the reasons I’d been trying to get a meeting with them.
“Well that changes this,” Stella mused. “Do you think they want a collaboration?”
I nodded. I could see no other reason for the meeting.
Our company paled in comparison with Fox Finch Holding when it came to size. But we were gaining ground. We were growing and we were creating buzz. We might not be as successful as Fox Finch Holding, but we brought a lot to the table.
Jordyn saw our potential. So why wouldn’t Fox Finch Holding?
“Maybe we should hold off on Jordyn’s offer then? Wait and see what Fox Finch Holding has in mind?” I suggested.
Stella agreed. “If they offer us better terms, then we’ll obviously choose them over Jordyn’s company. How about we accept the meeting with Fox Finch Holding and then discuss our options?”
We talked about it a bit more.
Jordyn offered us a good deal. He really did. But it wouldn’t be prudent of us to accept Jordyn’s offer without exploring a meeting first with Fox Finch Holdings.
Of course, this put me in a bit of a predicament with the divorce, but I’m sure I could find another way to persuade Jordyn to sign the papers.
Taking a meeting with Fox Finch Holdings was in the best interest of Hot House Flower. And I was committed to growing our company. I had to do what was best for the company, not what was best for my own personal interests.
It was an opportunity. We had to seize it.
I confirmed the meeting with Fox Finch Holdings, and then Stella and I went to work creating our presentation for them. We made sure we had all the relevant materials and we rehearsed the presentation several times. We wanted to make sure we presented our company and all it had to offer in the best possible light.
We pulled up to the Fox Finch Holding office. It was a massive building with an ornate lobby. Marble floors and expansive ceilings. It was shiny. Expensive. Intimidating.
“Wow,” Stella mused as we went to the receptionist’s desk. “This is the big leagues.’
I chuckled. It was true. Our studio and office took up a floor on a high rise. Fox Finch Holding was its own entire building.
“See why I’ve been chasing them?” I asked. “This is a huge company. A collaboration with them can really help take Hot House Flower to the next level. They have resources we simply don’t have.”
“No pressure,” Stella said sarcastically. 1
“We’ll be fine. We have a strong presentation,” I assured her. But truth be told, I felt the pressure to. This was our big chance. What if we blew it?
We introduced ourselves to the receptionist and she confirmed our identities. Then she escorted us down a long hall and into a large meeting room. The table was made of red oak and it gleamed under the many lights.
1/3
“Coffee?” the receptionist asked. I was already nervous and a little shaky, so I figured more caffeine was the last thing I needed. I politely asked for a sparkling water. Stella, however, asked for a large cappuccino with extra foam.
“You know me,” she winked when the receptionist left. “I can’t turn down a free coffee.”
We set up our presentation and waited.
“I’m really nervous,” Stella hissed at me.
“Me too. But just stay calm. We got this.” I sounded far more confident than I felt. Eventually, a man entered the room. Stella and I scrambled to our feet.
“Miss Taylor, Miss LeBlanc,” he nodded at us, using the fake surname I’d used to hide my identity when Jordyn and I met. “I’m the CEO of Fox Finch Holdings.”
“Please, Cassandra and Stella,” I smiled brightly at him.
He nodded. “Cassandra, Stella,” he repeated. “Damion. Thank you for taking the time to meet with me today.” He shook our
hands and took a seat.
“Whenever you’re ready,” he gestured.
Damion was polite, but his manner was brusque. He was an intimidating, imposing man who exuded an authoritative presence. If I’d been nervous before, well…Damion set my nerves into overdrive.
A few minutes into the presentation though and I felt a lot more at ease. Stella and I really were a great team and we’d come very well prepared. He listened intently, nodding occasionally. I think I even saw him smile once or twice.
We finished and waited nervously for his response.
“Well,” he started, “I have to say, you ladies have really made a stir in the fashion industry with your designs.”
That sounded promising, right? Stella and both drew in a sharp breath.
“You’re a small company though. Much smaller than ours. As I’m sure you know.”
My heart dropped. It sounded to me like he was gearing up for a polite pass on our company and our proposed collaboration. I glanced at Stella. Her face said the same thing I was thinking. He was about to drop a big ‘but’ on us and decline. 1
“You know, when your company was first brought to my attention, I didn’t even really consider working with you. However, after carefully reviewing your company profile I had second thoughts. And now, well, you ladies just gave one hell of a presentation.”
Wait. What?
He gave us an approving smile.
“I can see the potential here. I think we should collaborate.”
I burst out into a smile. Stella did the same.
“Thank you,” we both gushed, trying to maintain our professionalism. “We won’t disappoint you.”
“I’m sure you won’t. But it’s not really me you’ll be working with. My son is going to take over the company soon. So you’ll be working directly with him. All the details of the collaboration will be handled by him. I assure you though, you’ll be in good hands. My son’s primed and prepared to run the company.”
Just then, there was a soft knock on the door.
“Just in time. Come on in,” Damion said.
2/3
To my surprise, Dillon emerged.
What is he doing here? I asked myself. But then I realized he must work for the company. He’s probably the company lawyer, I thought. He walked over to Damion and stood, his hands resting on the back of a chair.
He smiled at me.
What are the chances, I thought. Dillon works for the same company we’re trying to collaborate with.
Small world!
But I was wrong.
Dillon wasn’t the company lawyer.
“Ladies,” Damion said. “This is Dillon, my son.”
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