Fractured Bonds

2- Jacob

Three Years Ago

As Lillian, my secretary, handed me my schedule for the day, we headed for the elevator where she debriefed me about how one of the companies in which Pendragon Capital has invested in is facing unpredictable market swings. I instructed her to convene an emergency board meeting at that company and put it on tomorrow's schedule while I dashed off for my lunch date with Mom.

I descended into the basement when my phone buzzed urgently. Mike's urgent text arrived, asking for an immediate conversation. I wasted no time and called him up.

"Hey Jake, you free? It's kind of urgent and is related to the company." he says. "Our company? What do you mean? You okay? What happened?"

"I've been accused of negligence in a malpractice case. The papers came yesterday to the hospital. I had to inform you in case this shit impacts the company's stocks"

I wince when he says "the company". He never showed interest in the company like Dad and I did. He always wanted to go out and make a career for himself away from the weight of the Pendragon name. Hence, why he took out a loan for completing med school too.

I say, "Look, Mikey, you don't have to worry about anything impacting our company because, as Dad always said, nothing is more important than us being there for each other. Now, do you need lawyers? I can call up our company's legal department and get them working on the case immediately."

"I don't need any lawyers; I've already got one. She's the sister of a friend who's a fellow doctor at the hospital. She's a Senior Partner at Levinson Woods Blanchard. I met her an hour ago, and I think I'm going with her. You know, you can come with me the next time I meet her, and if you have any concerns, you can ask her."

I dislike that he chose a lawyer before he even called me up about this issue. What if she's unprofessional and doesn't defend him properly?

I grit my teeth and say, "Yeah, I'll come with you, just let me know when and where you'll be meeting her".

I ask him about the case, and he filled me in on how in a multiple car collision, he had to remove a branch stuck in a man's legs and reconnect his nerves and blood vessels. The surgery was successful, but the man's death left a few questions hanging. The family blamed Mike for not taking the man to any tests after the surgery. Hence, the suit. Mike came to the conclusion that the patient died due to a Pulmonary Embolism, the risks of which would've risen since the branch was stuck in his leg. He said that some doctors including him came to the conclusion that the patient who had DVT as a pre-existing condition was the cause of the embolism. Before surgery, Mike, and the staff were not informed about this, complicating the suit.

He hangs up after saying bye, and I sit in my car and drive off to lunch and inform Mom of this problem.

I go into the restaurant and see my Mom, a warm smile lighting up her face. Her dark blonde hair frames her gentle features, and her eyes crinkle with affection. I walk up to her and hug her, feeling the familiar comfort of her embrace. 

Kathleen Pendragon, my mom, a teacher who climbed up into the position of Principal of a Magnet School and then co-owner of Pendragon Capital. A woman who you shouldn't mess with when it comes to corporate politics, among other things. Her expertise in psychology and science complemented her financial acumen and her need to teach science, making her an unstoppable force in both worlds.

"Hey Ma," I say, "How've you been?"

"Hi Jakey, it's going on as usual and your dad is just finding another part of the house to tear down and rebuild because he cannot sit still."

Henry Pendragon, my dad is a man of contrasts, he stood at the intersection of legacy and resilience. As a husband and our father, he bore witness to the clash between generations. He was a bit closed off emotionally due to my grandfather, Richard, trying to raise him as if he were at military camp. Overall, dad is a pretty cool guy who broke the generational trauma and raised us right. He's a cutthroat, cold-hearted man when it comes to business, which is why Pendragon Capital is one of the world's leading companies in Investment Banking.

Mom and I are dining when I let her know about Mike's lawsuit. She asks me who sued him, to which I say that Mike didn't actually tell me those details and that he invited me to meet his lawyer the next he goes to her firm. I also tell her about how he informed me about the suit after he got himself a lawyer and the fact that he denied any help I offered from the side of the company.

"Jake, you know that Mike hates having to involve himself with the company, leave him be when it comes to this. Just support him. I'll call him up after our lunch."

We finish our food as she pesters me about not having a girlfriend.

"Good luck, dear, I'll be going home tonight. I'll talk to Mike. Love you!".

"Yeah, Ma, love you too".

We hug as she gets into her car and tells me to keep calm about the issue at the company and the one with Mike.

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