Four Of A Kind Novel Chapter 25: [1.24] The Heiress Strikes Back

Chapter 25: [1.24] The Heiress Strikes Back

"Mother, I simply thought that given the unusual circumstances—"

"Business is compromise, Vivienne. Every negotiation involves give and take. If you cede ground on every demand, you will be eaten alive in the boardroom. If you refuse to cede any ground at all, you will never close a deal."

Camille picked up her pen again. Resud signing docunts.

"The question is not whether his terms are acceptable. The question is what you are willing to accept. What leverage do you have? What does he need that only you can provide? How can you structure the agreent to maximize your position while appearing to et his requirents?"

She glanced at the cara one final ti.

"Don’t bother

with frivolous matters. Make a decision. I expect results, not questions."

"Yes, Mother. I understand."

"Do you?"

The question hung in the air.

"Tokyo is calling. I trust you will handle this appropriately."

The screen went black.

Vivienne stared at her own reflection in the dark tablet.

She just...

The tablet felt heavy in her hands. She set it down on her desk. Placed her palms flat on the glass surface. Closed her eyes.

For thirty seconds, she allowed herself to feel it. The disappointnt. The hurt. The desperate, pathetic yearning for a single word of praise from a woman who had never given one.

Then she opened her eyes.

What would Mother do?

The answer ca instantly, as it always did.

She would never accept the first offer.

She would never cede control.

She would find a way to turn his conditions into her advantage.

Vivienne pulled up a blank docunt on her tablet. Her fingers moved across the keyboard, each keystroke deliberate.

EMPLOYNT AGREENT (REVISED)

Candidate: Isaiah Angelo

Position: Personal Assistant to the Valentine Household

She paused. Considered.

He needs transportation. The train commute is his weakness. It costs him ti and money.

A solution ford.

Transportation:Mr. Angelo will be assigned use of a Valentine estate vehicle for the duration of his employnt. Specifically, the 2023 Lexus ES currently registered to Sabrina Valentine but unused. This vehicle is to be used exclusively for work-related transportation and commuting purposes. Insurance and maintenance costs will be covered by the Valentine estate.

If Isaiah had a car provided by them, he was dependent on their generosity. The vehicle could be revoked at any ti. It created a relationship of obligation rather than compensation.

Next. The residency requirent.

His proposal of one overnight per week was laughable. A personal assistant who was only present one-seventh of the ti was not a personal assistant. He was a consultant. An outsider.

But demanding full weekends would make her look inflexible.

Find the middle ground. Make it appear like a compromise while maintaining control.

Residency Requirent:Mr. Angelo will be required to reside at the Valentine estate for two full weekends per month (Friday evening through Sunday evening). Specific dates will be determined by the Valentine sisters with a minimum of one week’s advance notice. This schedule may be adjusted based on household needs with mutual agreent.

Two weekends per month. Eight nights instead of four. Not quite what they originally wanted, but significantly more than his counter-offer.

And the phrase "may be adjusted based on household needs" gave them flexibility to demand additional ti if necessary.

Now. The real leverage.

Vivienne pulled up Cassidy’s academic records. The numbers glared at her from the screen.

GPA: 2.4

Class Rank: 156 out of 198

Academic Status: Academic Probation (again)

This is why we need an assistant in the first place. This is the actual job.

She began typing again.

Academic Performance Clause:A primary responsibility of this position is academic support for Cassidy Valentine. Mr. Angelo’s continued employnt is contingent upon demonstrable improvent in Ms. Valentine’s academic performance. Specifically: if Ms. Valentine’s GPA does not increase by a minimum of 0.5 points by the end of the current sester, this contract will be subject to imdiate review and potential termination at the discretion of the Valentine family.

There. A asurable tric. A clear consequence.

If Isaiah failed to improve Cassidy’s grades, he was out. If he succeeded, they got what they actually needed.

Either way, the pressure was on him.

Finally. The trial period.

The original proposal had been one month. She would keep that. But she would add specificity.

Trial Period:The initial month evaluation period will comnce upon Mr. Angelo’s acceptance of these terms. During this period, Mr. Angelo’s performance will be assessed against key trics including but not limited to: punctuality, task completion rate, discretion, and compatibility with household mbers. Evaluation authority rests with Vivienne Valentine, who will serve as Mr. Angelo’s primary supervisor for administrative purposes.

Evaluation authority rests with Vivienne Valentine.

She read the line twice. Sothing warm spread through her chest.

This is how you establish control.

This is how you beco CEO.

Vivienne reviewed the complete docunt. Every clause. Every condition. Every carefully worded phrase designed to appear reasonable while maximizing the Valentine family’s position.

The terms were ruthless.

They left Isaiah very little room to maneuver.

They were, in essence, a compromise where both parties would be sowhat unhappy.

Just like Mother taught .

She saved the docunt and opened her email client. Miranda’s address auto-populated.

Subject: Assistant Position - Revised Terms

Miranda,

Please present the attached employnt agreent to Mr. Angelo at your earliest convenience. These terms represent the final offer from the Valentine family. They are not subject to further negotiation.

Inform him that acceptance must be received within 48 hours, after which the offer will be withdrawn and we will proceed with alternative candidates.

Regards,

Vivienne Valentine

Her finger hovered over the send button.

For a mont, just a mont, she thought about Isaiah’s tired eyes. About his sister. About the granola bar wrapper she had noticed crumpled in his jacket pocket during the interview.

He’s working himself to death.

He takes a train for two hours each way.

He’s eighteen years old and raising a child.

Maybe I should...

Vivienne pressed send.

The email disappeared into the digital ether.

Vivienne pulled up her schedule. Tomorrow: virtual student council eting at 7 AM, debate team practice at 4 PM, fitting for the fall collection at 6 PM, dinner at 8 PM.

She had work to do.