41. Sloan

CHAPTER 41

Sloan

"W elcome, Miss Wilks. Thank you for coming in on such short notice. Please, sit."

"Thank you. I was surprised by your email and wanted to meet in person to discuss our new working arrangements and ensure you had all the information to make an informed decision," Sloan says, taking the seat opposite Chase Caldwell, the Wishing Stone CEO.

"Well, that is very kind of you, Miss Wilks. Before we get too far into it, can you tell me why you are venturing away from Insure Incandescent? It seems a precarious move for someone so well established and connected to the current, or now former, business."

"Not to speak ill of my former employer, but I discovered recently that our values did not align and felt it was better to venture on my own," Sloan says. She doesn't want to speak negatively of her family and does not wish them trouble, but she also feels the need to be honest. Being able to separate herself from them means she needs to be clear about what she values and the kind of business she wishes to build. Securing Wishing Stone as a client would be a phenomenal first step to showing how serious she is.

Chase sips his water. "I see. And what are your values?"

"Honesty, care, and integrity. I want what is best for my clients. I approach my work honestly, ensuring that they and their employees receive the protection they need and deserve. I care about my work and the people I work for and will not allow unknowing citizens to be deceived. And finally, I handle all cases personally and with the trust I have proven I am worth of. I may no longer be with Insure Incandescent, but it doesn't mean I am not still as capable," Sloan finishes, taking a deep breath.

Was that more straightforward than she intended? Absolutely, but it was the truth. She is tired of seeing the employees of these organizations be charged unnecessarily high premiums solely because it puts more money in the insuring company's pocket. So she will lead with integrity. Naive? Perhaps. But they can take it or leave it.

He smiles at her, which she assumes means he is pleased with her response. "I like what I hear. But going with you, with no established company history, is risky for us. Why should we go with you?"

Sloan smiles back, knowing she already has him. "If I may be frank, per the email I received, you have already chosen to sign with me. Something is already stopping you from staying with my former employer. Perhaps your values don't align. Or perhaps you believe a more personal touch is important. Whatever it is, you already believe that I am the best option. Yes, there is risk involved. It's my job to assess risk. And in doing so, I have already determined that it was far riskier to stay where I was than to go alone. So I am here now, looking at you, helping you confirm that you made the right choice. And Mr. Caldwell, I can say with ninety-eight percent confidence you've made the best decision."

His head tilts, having caught something she said that seems out of place. She can practically see the wheels turning in his head, trying to piece it together, but it's not working. "Why, may I ask, do you say ‘ninety-eight percent certainty'?"

"Because as good as I am, I can't control everything, and I have to leave some room for error," she says, winking at him.

"That's a good one!" He laughs, appreciating the poorly constructed risk assessment joke. "Alright. I am satisfied. I will have Astor complete the necessary paperwork."

Sloan stands, extending her hand to shake his. "Thank you, sir. You will not regret signing with Bellis." She smiles again, trying desperately to control the urge to jump up and down in excitement, and leaves his office. She returns to her car before letting out the squeal she's been withholding.

"Alright, breathe, Sloan," she tells herself after she's stopped bouncing up and down in celebration. Her phone pings in her coat pocket. She pulls it out, seeing the reminder for the meeting at The Dandelion. "Shoot!" She climbs in her car and drives to the other end of town to meet up with the woman who shattered her heart.