Chapter 23 - The Price Of Winning
The market recovered slowly.
Northstar denied wrongdoing.
Regulators opened an inquiry.
The board rejected the acquisition.
But the crisis had changed something inside me.
I realized that winning wasn't enough.
I wanted to build a company that didn't depend on one person's ability to survive a crisis.
So I proposed something radical.
A new governance structure.
No CEO would ever again control every major financial decision.
Related-party transactions would require independent approval.
The chair and CEO positions would eventually be separated.
Whistleblower protections would be strengthened.
And the foundation would become independently governed.
One director objected.
"You're voluntarily giving up power."
I nodded.
"Yes."
"Why?"
"Because power should be useful, not permanent."
Julian sat across the room.
He smiled.
After the meeting, we walked through the empty hallway.
"You know what your father would have said?" Julian asked.
"What?"
"He'd say you're giving away the kingdom."
I laughed.
"I'm not."
"What are you doing?"
"Making sure the kingdom doesn't need a queen."
He stopped walking.
"Claire."
"What?"
He reached into his pocket.
The ring box.
Again.
I stared at him.
"You still have that?"
"Yes."
He opened it.
"I know you're not ready."
"I didn't say that."
"You didn't have to."
I took the ring.
For several seconds, I held it in my palm.
Then I looked at him.
"Ask me again."
His eyes widened.
"Claire Whitmore..."
I smiled.
"Ask."
He took a breath.
"Will you marry me?"
I answered softly.
May you like
"Yes."
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