Chapter 22 - THE COMPANY NOBODY WANTED
The rail company was called Hudson Meridian Rail.
Its owner was an elderly man named Samuel Reed.
He had spent forty years running it.
When Evelyn offered to buy the company, he refused.
“I don't want it swallowed by another conglomerate.”
Evelyn respected the answer.
“I don't want to swallow it.”
Samuel looked at her.
“Then why are you here?”
“Because your railway connects two communities that will lose jobs if Northbridge controls this corridor.”
Samuel was silent.
“How do you know that?”
“I studied your employee numbers.”
“And?”
“You employ 380 people.”
“382.”
Evelyn smiled.
“Two more since last month.”
Samuel smiled back.
“You did your homework.”
They negotiated for three days.
In the end, Samuel agreed to sell under one condition.
Sterling-Apex would preserve the workforce for five years.
Evelyn agreed.
The acquisition was announced.
The market reacted immediately.
Northbridge's stock price dropped.
Gregory called.
“You've made a mistake.”
Evelyn looked out over the city.
“No.”
“You've bought an unprofitable railway.”
“I bought independence.”
Gregory was silent.
Evelyn ended the call.
For the first time, Gregory understood that she was not playing his game.
May you like
She was changing the board.
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