He pulled out another document, this one focused specifically on Thaddius’s company.
“Before you left, that business had consistent revenue growth, high client retention, and strong supplier relationships. Within six months of your departure, all of those metrics declined dramatically. But here’s what caught our attention. The clients who moved to your new firm reported higher satisfaction and better results than they’d ever experienced.”
I wasn’t sure where he was going with this.
“That suggests to us that you weren’t just maintaining existing relationships. You were actually providing a level of service that exceeded what those clients had received before, even when you were constrained by working within someone else’s company structure.”
“What does that have to do with Meridian Holdings?”
David smiled.
“We want to give you the resources and authority to do for our acquired companies what you did for your own firm. Identify the real talent, rebuild the authentic relationships, and create sustainable operations based on competence rather than hierarchy.”
The offer was even more substantial than Patricia had indicated. Four hundred thousand base salary, plus performance bonuses that could double that amount, plus equity stakes in the companies I successfully rebuilt. I would have a team of analysts and operational specialists. I would report directly to David with complete autonomy over hiring, firing, and strategic decisions for the marketing operations of all acquired properties. But the most interesting part of the offer was what David said next.
“There’s one more thing, Cordelia. We have a particular situation that we think might interest you personally.”
He pulled out a final document.
“Three weeks ago, we acquired another struggling marketing firm. The owner had been trying to rebuild his reputation after his previous company failed, but he’d made similar management mistakes. Talented employees leaving. Client relationships deteriorating. Operational dysfunction.”
My heart started beating faster.
“The owner’s name is Thaddius Morse.”
I stared at David in complete shock.
“You bought Thaddius’s new company?”
“Actually, he never owned it. He was hired as the general manager for a group of investors who thought his experience running a previous agency would be valuable. When that arrangement failed, the investors reached out to us about acquiring the assets and rebuilding the operation.”
David opened the document to show me financial reports and operational assessments.
“The company has good bones. Solid client base. Talented staff. Decent infrastructure. But it’s suffering from the same leadership problems that destroyed his previous business. The staff doesn’t trust management. Clients are frustrated with inconsistent service. And nobody seems to understand how to coordinate the various moving parts.”
I could not believe what I was hearing.
“You want me to take over the company where Thaddius works?”
