In Petrakis's Power Read Online Free PDF Page B
Author: Maggie Cox
modernisation. And I can no longer afford to keep on staff of the calibre that helped make it such a success in the first place. It’s so like you to blame it on the economy, but that just isn’t the case.’
‘Then if it’s not that
why
can’t you afford to modernise or keep good staff? You’ve always told me that the business has made you a fortune.’
‘That’s perfectly true. It
did
make a fortune. Butsadly I haven’t been able to hold on to it. I’ve lost almost everything, Natalie … and I’m afraid I’m being forced to sell the business at a loss to try and recoup some money and pay off the vast amount of debt I’ve accrued.’
Natalie’s insides lurched as though she’d just narrowly escaped plunging down a disused elevator shaft. ‘It’s really that bad?’ she murmured, hardly knowing what to say.
Her father pushed to his feet, despondently shaking his head. ‘I’ve made such a mess of my life,’ he told her, ‘and I suppose because I’ve been so reckless and irresponsible the chickens have come home to roost, as they say. I deserve it. I was blessed with everything a man could wish for—a beautiful wife, a lovely daughter and work that I loved … But I threw it all away because I became more interested in seeking pleasure than keeping a proper eye on the business.’
‘You mean women and drink?’
‘And the rest. It’s not hard to understand why I had a heart attack.’
Needing to offer him some comfort and reassurance, even though she was shocked and slightly dazed at what ‘the rest’ might refer to, Natalie urgently caught hold of his hand and folded it between her own.
‘That doesn’t mean you’re going to have another one, Dad. Things will get better, I promise you. First of all, you’ve got to stop blaming yourself for what you did in the past and forgive yourself. Then you have to vow that you won’t hurt yourself in that way ever again—that you’ll look after yourself, move on, and deal withwhat’s going on right now. You said you’re being forced to sell the business at a loss … to whom?’
‘A man who’s known in the world of mergers and acquisitions as “the Alchemist” because he can turn dirt into diamonds at the drop of a hat it seems. A Greek billionaire named Petrakis. It’s a cliché, I know, but he really did make me an offer I couldn’t refuse. At least I know he’s got the money. That’s something, I suppose. The thing is I need cash in the bank as soon as possible, Nat. The bank wants the money from the sale in my account tomorrow, after we complete, or else they’ll make me bankrupt.’
‘Don’t you have any other assets? What about this flat? Presumably you own it outright?’
Again her father shook his head. ‘Mortgaged up to the hilt, I’m afraid.’ Noting the shock in her eyes, he freed his hand from hers, winced, and started to rub his chest.
Natalie’s own heart started to race with concern. ‘Are you all right, Dad? Should I call a doctor?’
‘I’m fine. I probably just need to rest a bit and stop drinking so much whisky. Perhaps you’d make me a cup of tea instead?’
‘Of course I will. Why don’t you go and put your feet up on the couch in the living room and I’ll bring it in to you?’
His answer to her suggestion was to impel her close into his chest and plant a fond kiss on the top of her head. When she glanced up to examine his suddenly pale features, his warm smile was unstintingly loving and proud.
‘You’re a good girl, Natalie … the best daughter in the world. I regret not telling you that more often.’
‘You and Mum might have parted, but I always knew that you loved me.’ Gently, she stepped out of the circle of his arms.
‘It does my heart good to hear you say that. I don’t want to take advantage, but perhaps you won’t mind me asking another favour of you?’
Her throat thick with emotion, Natalie smiled back at him. ‘Ask away. You know that I’ll do anything I can to
‘Then if it’s not that
why
can’t you afford to modernise or keep good staff? You’ve always told me that the business has made you a fortune.’
‘That’s perfectly true. It
did
make a fortune. Butsadly I haven’t been able to hold on to it. I’ve lost almost everything, Natalie … and I’m afraid I’m being forced to sell the business at a loss to try and recoup some money and pay off the vast amount of debt I’ve accrued.’
Natalie’s insides lurched as though she’d just narrowly escaped plunging down a disused elevator shaft. ‘It’s really that bad?’ she murmured, hardly knowing what to say.
Her father pushed to his feet, despondently shaking his head. ‘I’ve made such a mess of my life,’ he told her, ‘and I suppose because I’ve been so reckless and irresponsible the chickens have come home to roost, as they say. I deserve it. I was blessed with everything a man could wish for—a beautiful wife, a lovely daughter and work that I loved … But I threw it all away because I became more interested in seeking pleasure than keeping a proper eye on the business.’
‘You mean women and drink?’
‘And the rest. It’s not hard to understand why I had a heart attack.’
Needing to offer him some comfort and reassurance, even though she was shocked and slightly dazed at what ‘the rest’ might refer to, Natalie urgently caught hold of his hand and folded it between her own.
‘That doesn’t mean you’re going to have another one, Dad. Things will get better, I promise you. First of all, you’ve got to stop blaming yourself for what you did in the past and forgive yourself. Then you have to vow that you won’t hurt yourself in that way ever again—that you’ll look after yourself, move on, and deal withwhat’s going on right now. You said you’re being forced to sell the business at a loss … to whom?’
‘A man who’s known in the world of mergers and acquisitions as “the Alchemist” because he can turn dirt into diamonds at the drop of a hat it seems. A Greek billionaire named Petrakis. It’s a cliché, I know, but he really did make me an offer I couldn’t refuse. At least I know he’s got the money. That’s something, I suppose. The thing is I need cash in the bank as soon as possible, Nat. The bank wants the money from the sale in my account tomorrow, after we complete, or else they’ll make me bankrupt.’
‘Don’t you have any other assets? What about this flat? Presumably you own it outright?’
Again her father shook his head. ‘Mortgaged up to the hilt, I’m afraid.’ Noting the shock in her eyes, he freed his hand from hers, winced, and started to rub his chest.
Natalie’s own heart started to race with concern. ‘Are you all right, Dad? Should I call a doctor?’
‘I’m fine. I probably just need to rest a bit and stop drinking so much whisky. Perhaps you’d make me a cup of tea instead?’
‘Of course I will. Why don’t you go and put your feet up on the couch in the living room and I’ll bring it in to you?’
His answer to her suggestion was to impel her close into his chest and plant a fond kiss on the top of her head. When she glanced up to examine his suddenly pale features, his warm smile was unstintingly loving and proud.
‘You’re a good girl, Natalie … the best daughter in the world. I regret not telling you that more often.’
‘You and Mum might have parted, but I always knew that you loved me.’ Gently, she stepped out of the circle of his arms.
‘It does my heart good to hear you say that. I don’t want to take advantage, but perhaps you won’t mind me asking another favour of you?’
Her throat thick with emotion, Natalie smiled back at him. ‘Ask away. You know that I’ll do anything I can to