Chapter 10 - A NEW FOUNDATION
One Year Later.
The boardroom of Cole Enterprises was dead silent. The executives, who had failed to oust Nathaniel after he orchestrated a brilliant counter-merger that doubled their stock prices, sat rigid as the CEO paced at the head of the table.
"The acquisition of the tech firm will proceed," Nathaniel said sharply, his glasses reflecting the projector screen. "But I want the community outreach budget tripled. If we don't build the foundation of these neighborhoods, we have no business building skyscrapers over them. Is that understood?"
"Yes, Mr. Cole," the board chorused.
Suddenly, the heavy mahogany doors of the boardroom burst open. The security guard looked panicked. "Sir, I tried to stop her—"
"Squeak!"
A four-year-old girl in a bright yellow dress and light-up sneakers ran into the room, holding a rubber duck.
The executives froze in terror. Nobody interrupted Nathaniel Cole.
Nathaniel stopped his presentation. He looked at the little girl. Slowly, a massive, brilliant smile broke across his face. He crouched down, opening his arms, and Lily launched herself into him.
"Did you escape your mother again?" Nathaniel asked, lifting her onto his hip.
Elena walked through the doors a moment later, wearing a stunning tailored suit, rubbing her slightly rounded pregnant belly. She rolled her eyes affectionately at her husband. "She bribed Walter. I'm telling you, she's going to take over this company by the time she's ten."
"I welcome the hostile takeover," Nathaniel said, walking over and kissing his wife softly, right in front of the board of directors.
The Ice King was dead.
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In his place stood a man who knew the value of everything he had lost, and the immeasurable worth of everything he had found. He looked around the room, holding his daughter, standing next to his wife, and for the first time in his life, Nathaniel Cole had absolutely nothing to complain about.
"Meeting adjourned," Nathaniel said. "I have a rubber duck to attend to."
