Contractual Obligations: Closing The Deal *B2*

Chapter 16

ೋღ♥ღೋChapter 16 ೋღ♥ღೋ

Natalie's pregnancy seemed to be moving along quicker now. In reality, time didn't move any faster, but it sure felt like it did. Michael felt more pressure than he had in years. The operations were coming together, and they'd started to move on production. Until they could get their own plant up and running, they'd manufacture through a private label and slap their names on it. It was a fast answer, but cost them money they didn't want to spend. It was such a unique product; it took time to find a company that could even do it. Now that they'd have a temporary solution going, they'd work on getting their own specs together.

It took some finagling, but they were finally able to work a deal and get access to a plant that would work, and the special machinery they needed. Once they had things up and running, there was another hurdle to get over. Building trust and brand recognition was a big bridge they still had to cross. Michael was a natural salesman, but he was also Kent Davidson's son. Would he be forgiven for being part of Bowman Industries? He wasn't named in any of the law suits, so at least he had that on his side. Turns out his dad kept his name off of most of the documents that would burn him and send him to jail. At least he did something to protect his son - it was all he had left to offer.

Once things got started, Michael wasn't quite himself. He was mumbling, sitting at the table, his eyes weary. He looked lost in thought, and his face gave away his stress.

"Why don't you join me in bed?" It was late and he was still working.

"I need to work on these calculations," he said while scratching numbers out on a pad. He didn't even have his laptop open. He was just repeating things under his breath, jotting words and numbers down, scratching them out, and doing it again.

"This isn't going to work. It's not right."

"What are you talking about? Is everything okay?"

Michael looked to his wife, beaten down from his own stress. "I didn't want to do it this way. I don't get the final say, but this wasn't how I wanted to run the company."

Natalie sat beside him, rubbing her eyes. "What are you talking about?"

Michael was ashamed to speak the truth. He cut corners, bent the rules, knowing they used toxic chemicals to get the product out sooner and faster. By forcing the liability to the companies and off of his plate, he was putting out a product that could harm employees of companies that slid that fact under the table. They'd be up and running in their own factory soon. Another few weeks and there'd be no going back.

Michael took a deep breath and exhaled in a long, exaggerated sigh. "I'm having creative differences with our big investor."

"Marcus?"

"Yeah," he said, not sure he could get the actual words out.

"I'm sure you'll work it out."

"It's not that easy. There's an ethical dilemma, and I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place."

"What's got you so worked up?"

Michael shook his head. "I don't want to follow the same path my father took."

"Michael, what are you talking about?"

He took another deep breath, and let out another exaggerated sigh. "Marcus wants to use the toxic chemical to keep costs down."

"What? Didn't he see what happened?"

"That's the thing. He found a work around. If we push the liability to the companies, having them sign off that they know about the ingredients, it clears us, but it still puts their employees in harm's way. A fucking loophole, he found a loophole, but I don't like it. It's a cheaper product this way, and a lot of those companies are looking at their bottom line, not what's best for their workers."