Chapter 7 - THE RECONSTRUCTION
Rebuilding a broken family doesn't happen overnight. It happens brick by brick, quiet conversation by quiet conversation.
After the grand opening of the flagship store, I didn't fire Vanessa from StyleHub. Instead, I let her continue working the floor for two months until her store manager gave her a stellar performance review for hard work and team leadership.
When Vanessa officially earned a promotion to assistant store manager on her own merits, I brought her out to dinner at a small, cozy Italian restaurant in North Beach—just the two of us, no executive assistants, no luxury resorts, no audience.
"Daniel is doing really well," Vanessa told me over pasta, her face glowing with a healthy, natural energy I had never seen in her before. "His division head at Vance & Stern told him last week that his portfolio analysis was the best they'd seen all year. He's working his way back up."
"I know," I smiled, taking a sip of wine. "Julian has been tracking his progress. We're signing the logistics contract with Vance & Stern next week. And Daniel is going to be the lead associate on the account."
Vanessa’s mouth fell open. "Audrey... really?"
"He proved he earned it, Vanessa," I said gently. "And so did you."
Vanessa reached across the small wooden table and squeezed my hand tightly. "Thank you."
"Now," I said, leaning back with a smile. "We need to talk about Mom and Dad."
Vanessa sighed, rubbing her forehead. "Dad is a mess, Audrey. He calls me three times a week asking if I've talked to you. Mom is... well, Mom is finally quiet. She hasn't hosted a bridge party or a gala in four months. I think reality finally hit her."
"I think it's time for a proper family dinner," I said quietly.
"Where?" Vanessa asked.
I looked at her with a mischievous glint in my eye. "Not at Seaside Springs. At my apartment. I'll cook."
May you like
Vanessa laughed—a real, booming, hearty laugh that filled the small restaurant. "You cook? Audrey, you run a two-billion-dollar empire, but you burn toast!"
"Hey," I grinned. "I have an executive chef on staff who can prepare the ingredients. I'll just do the final assembly."
