Chapter 34 Daisy Ann

Daisy Ann ended her call and got out of the car. When she walked into the building and up to her office, Wade was already in there, perched on the edge of her desk, one leg swinging back and forth as he spoke to another man. As soon as he saw her walk in, he sprang up, and gave her an apologetic look. She felt her annoyance growing. She'd have to talk to her assistant about letting people into her office when she wasn't there.

"Daisy Ann, this is Leonard Simms," Wade said as the gentleman rose to face her.

She gave Wade a curt nod then turned to the man and held out a hand. His serious expression and old-fashioned wire-rimmed glasses gave him a humorless air. He wore a neatly pressed gray suit, and when he took her hand in his, she was startled by its extreme slenderness. His handshake, however, was firm and strong.

"Daisy Ann Briscoe."

"Nice to meet you, ma'am. I'm Mr. Bennett's attorney. As you know, he's out of the country on business and will be joining on Zoom."

"Yes. Let's go into the conference room, shall we? We're all set up for the call." Daisy Ann walked to the door without waiting for a response.

"Farah, please find out what these gentlemen would like to drink. I'll have my usual. Thanks."

The men followed her to the conference room, and she took a seat at the head of the table. After her assistant had given everyone coffee, and Daisy Ann her chai latte, she set up the computer, retreated, and shut the door.

Daisy Ann clicked on the keyboard of the laptop and the image was projected onto the big screen on the wall. She opened up the Zoom room and within seconds, a man's face appeared. He was distinguished looking, dark hair graying at the temples, clean shaven, a George Clooney look-alike in a starched white shirt.

"Good morning, Mr. Bennett," Daisy Ann said.

"Please call me Hugo. Thank you for taking the meeting. I apologize that I can't be there in person. I'll be in Singapore a few more days, but I didn't want to miss this opportunity," he said in an upper-class British accent.

"I imagine you must be ready to retire soon. It's almost midnight there."

He laughed. "I don't sleep much these days. Too much going on. I'll get straight to it. I've been wanting to diversify my investments for some time. I understand you were hit hard by the pandemic as many businesses have been, but your PL was outstanding prior to that. Even a few years later, we're all trying to catch up. Wade has shared some of your plans for expanding into private trunk shows and reaching some new markets, and I can help with that."

"How so?" Daisy Ann asked.

"I have extensive contacts in Europe, high-end jewelers who would love to carry custom pieces. Might even be able to get some royals wearing your designs."

Daisy Ann never thought that big. Her company was her homage to her mother, a way to honor the artistic integrity of her designs and to keep her memory alive. She smiled at the thought of what her mother would say if one of her pieces graced the neck of a princess or duchess. Even Birdie would be impressed.

"That sounds…intriguing."

"I've emailed over a list of who I'd start with. You can check it all out. I think you'll find we'd make great partners."

They spoke for a while longer, more tiptoeing around and getting to know each other chatter.

"Thank you, Hugo. I'll certainly consider your offer seriously. Give me a few days and I'll get back to you."

Daisy Ann stood. "Wade, will you see Mr. Simms out and then come back to my office?" She extended her hand again. "Nice to meet you. I'll be in touch."

When Wade returned, Daisy Ann was seated behind her desk.

"Well, what did you think?" he asked.

"I need to look everything over, send it to the lawyers, but I was impressed. It's a bonus that in addition to the money he's willing to invest, he can also help us expand. Europe. It would be kinda cool."

Wade nodded. "I think it's a no-brainer."

She arched an eyebrow. "Easy for you to say. I'm still hesitant to sell a full twenty-five percent. I don't like being left with less than a fifty percent say. Think they'd do it for nineteen shares?"

He shook his head. "That's an odd number. They want a quarter of the business. They were very clear on that. You'll still have the majority voting share. With your forty-five, and my thirty, they'll have the least say at twenty-five percent. Nothing to worry about."

"Counteroffer at nineteen. My daddy taught me to always keep at least fifty-one percent if at all possible."

Wade narrowed his eyes and started to say something then stopped. After a few more moments he spoke. "All right. But what if they say no? This is a huge opportunity. Imagine the kind of exposure they could give us. How thrilled would your mama be to have British royalty wearing one of her creations?"

She considered that for a moment. "I still say we try for nineteen. If they say no, negotiate. But see what you can do."

"I'll do my best. What's your real bottom line? If they're about to walk away, can I okay the twenty-five?"

She blew out her breath, quiet, thinking. Finally, she answered. "Yeah, but only as a last resort."