Shadows from the Boardroom
In mid-November, the outside world intruded upon their sanctuary.
Alexander received an urgent video conference request from his senior board members in Chicago, led by Vincent Sterling—a predatory private equity partner who held fifteen percent of Vance Enterprises.
Alexander joined the call from his rustic study in the neighboring house.
"Alexander, this Galena sabbatical has gone from eccentric to dangerous," Vincent said, his face cold on the high-definition monitor. "The municipal vote for the Millennium Park eco-center is in two weeks. You’re three hours away, hiding in the woods. The press is asking questions about your personal life."
"My personal life is private, Vincent," Alexander replied calmly. "The design specifications for Millennium Park are on schedule. The structural models have been validated."
"We don't just want the models, Alexander. We want the commercial retail revisions," Vincent sneered. "The board voted yesterday to replace the proposed public green-house wing with a luxury commercial shopping promenade. It adds $40 million to the annual lease yield."
Alexander’s expression hardened. "That green-house wing was the core civic promise of the development. It provides year-round agricultural education for Chicago public school children."
"Charity doesn't service mezzanine debt, Alex," Vincent said coldly. "If you aren't in Chicago on Thursday to sign off on the commercial conversion, the executive committee will invoke Section 4 of the partnership agreement and remove you as active managing partner."
The screen went black.
Alexander sat in the dim study for a long time, the fire crackling in the hearth.
Seven years ago, he would have signed the commercial revision without a second thought, rationalizing it as necessary financial pragmatism. But now, having seen the blueprints Sloane drew by hand in a drafty bedroom, having watched his daughters paint pictures of community gardens, he saw Vincent’s proposal for what it was: hollow, rapacious greed.
The door to the study creaked open.
Sloane stepped inside, holding two cups of coffee. She had heard the conversation through the open door.
May you like
"You're going to fight them," she said, setting a mug in front of him.
"I’m going to do more than fight them," Alexander said, looking up at her. "I’m going to show them who actually built this foundation."
