Page 68 of Illicit Education
By the end of the meeting, the atmosphere had shifted. The once-skeptical board members now wore expressions of cautious optimism. My father, though still wearing a mask of stoicism and doubt, could not hide the glimmer of pride in his eyes.
The torch was about to be passed.
I would carry it with honor, passion, and unwavering resolve, for the love of my father, the future of the company, and the faith placed in me by the board of trustees.
And, most importantly, I was about to make my mother proud.
The publishing house was her baby, butIam her legacy.
By mid-afternoon, I was no longer calm, cool, and collected.
I paced my office while I waited for an outcome.
To be honest, I had not expected the board members to deliberate this long.
They’d had lunch delivered, sequestered in that boardroom like a goddamn jury.
Travis knocked on my doorjamb and I jumped.
My pulse sped.
“We’re ready.”
I searched his gaze for any indication of the outcome.
“Breathe, buddy. We’re nearing forty—our hearts could give at any moment.”
Travis cracking jokes was a good sign.
I breathed deeply, then blew out the breath and nodded.
For the second time today, I squared my shoulders and entered the boardroom, my future at stake.
“We’ll need to discuss the announcement,” my father said. “Public, of course. Something big.”
I froze in the doorway, unable to take another step.
“Well, come in, son,” he said, laughing in that way of his that never quite felt like a real laugh, “and close your mouth. The CEO of Reed Enterprises doesn’t stand around looking foolish.”
My chest swelled with pride and I closed my mouth, nodding as I strode to my chair and sat down.
Relief filled me.
This was it. They’d voted in my favor.
Travis clapped my shoulder, then sat down beside me.
And all I could think about was telling Rylan the good news.
Which was problematic.
My father’s gruff voice broke my thoughts, its gravelly tone betraying a hint of emotion. “Cabot, you've shown those of us sitting at this table that you possess the drive and capability to lead Reed Enterprises. It is time for me to step down and hand over the reins to you.”
A surge of gratitude washed over me, mingled with a twinge of bittersweet nostalgia. This moment marked the passing of an era, the culmination of years of hard work and devotion. It was an incredible feeling mixed with a profound sense of loss.
My mother wasn’t here to see me reach this milestone, even though she was absolutely the reason I’d made it this far.
I met my father's gaze. “Thank you, Father. Your guidance and mentorship have been invaluable to me. I am ready to take on this massive responsibility and carry forward the legacy you have built.”