Chapter 4
Monday.
Trouble hit the office.
"Ms. Nolan, Everwell got back to us. They're holding firm at 35%," Katie said, looking worried.
"Why?" I asked.
"They said it's Chairman Nolan's decision. If we don't accept, they'll take their business to a rival," Katie replied.
"A rival? There's no one in our field who can compete with us," I said.
"They mentioned a name—BrightMed Solutions," Katie replied.
I set my pen down.
BrightMed.
BrightMed just launched three months ago. The founder used to be our tech director—he left and took two of our best engineers with him.
Their product is still in development—it isn't even on the market yet.
'Everwell is using a company that doesn't even have a real product to threaten me?' I thought.
"They're just bluffing," I said.
"I think so too, but what if they actually go through with it? The eastern market means everything to us," Katie said.
I thought for a moment.
"Set up a meeting with Richard. I'm done dealing with middlemen," I said.
"Are you sure you want to meet him directly?" Katie asked.
"At the negotiating table, I'm Emma Nolan, founder of Nolan HealthTech. That's the only identity that matters," I said.
Katie hesitated for a moment, then made the call.
Five minutes later, she came back.
"It's set. Wednesday afternoon, at Everwell Tower. Richard will meet you himself," she said.
"Good," I replied.
Wednesday.
I took a deep breath as the elevator reached the 48th floor of Everwell Tower.
Richard.
It had been five years since I last saw him.
Back then, I was still married into the Nolan family.
He sat on the sofa in the Nolan family living room, looked at me across the coffee table, and said, "Emma, you're not the kind of daughter-in-law the Nolan family wants. Here's three hundred thousand dollars. Take the money, sign the papers, and get out."
I didn't take the money.
But I signed the papers and left.
The elevator doors slid open.
Grace was waiting at the entrance.
Today, she was dressed in a Dior suit, looking even more polished and businesslike.
"Ms. Nolan, Chairman Nolan is waiting for you inside," Grace said.
I pushed the door open.
It was a spacious office.
A man in his sixties stood by the floor-to-ceiling windows, phone pressed to his ear.
He had silver-gray hair, stood tall and straight, and carried an unmistakable air of authority.
Richard.
He hung up and turned around.
He saw me.
His eyes locked onto mine for a moment.
Just a second later, he was back to his usual self.
"Ms. Nolan? Please, have a seat," Richard said.
Richard hesitated, unsure.
It's been five years, and I've changed so much. The twenty-three-year-old girl who didn't know how to do makeup and wore cheap dresses bought off the rack is nothing like the woman sitting in front of him now.
The way Richard looked at me made it clear he thought he'd seen me before.
"Mr. Nolan, our previous framework negotiations got stuck on the revenue split. I wanted to discuss it with you in person," I said.
"Ms. Nolan, you're direct. I like that," Richard said as he sat down. "I set the 35% split, and I have my reasons."
"What reasons?" I asked.
"Everwell's value isn't just about getting products on shelves. We also provide customer support and training programs. When you add up those costs, 35% really isn't that high," Richard explained.
"Mr. Nolan, I've done my homework. Everwell outsources 60% of its customer support, and your training program was only set up last year. It barely covers 40% of your partners. A 35% split should be for a mature system, not one that's still under construction," I said.
Richard smiled.
"You really did your homework," he said.
"Partnerships are about mutual benefit, not just concessions. I'm offering 30%, and I can also provide training support for the first batch of equipment, so you won't have to spend extra on staffing," I said.
Richard stared at me for a full ten seconds.
"Ms. Nolan, you remind me of someone," he said.
I picked up my cup.
"Who?" I asked.
"Someone I once got completely wrong," Richard replied.
Grace, who had been quietly taking notes, glanced up at us.
"31%," Richard said. "That extra percentage is my investment in you."
"Deal," I said.
I stood up and reached out my hand.
Richard stood up and shook my hand.
His handshake was strong.
"Ms. Nolan, Grace will be your point of contact for the rest of the partnership," Richard said.
"Good," I replied.
I turned and walked out.
Just as I reached the door, Richard's voice called out from behind me.
"Emma Nolan."
I stopped.
He called me by my full name, not "Ms. Nolan."
"Your company's doing great," he said.
I didn't turn around.
"Thanks," I replied.
Once I stepped out, Grace caught up with me.
"Ms. Nolan, Chairman Nolan seems pretty impressed by you," Grace said.
"I just hope he feels the same way about working with us," I replied.
Grace just smiled and didn't say anything else.
I knew Richard had recognized me.
But he chose not to bring it up.
The ex-daughter-in-law he'd once paid off with one million dollars was now sitting across from him, negotiating business.
That must've been a pretty awkward feeling.
*****
After leaving Everwell, I sat in my car for five minutes.
My phone rang.
It was a number I didn't recognize.
I answered.
"Emma Nolan?" The caller said.
That voice—it was unmistakable.
It was deep, cold, and just a little rough around the edges.
Lucas.
"How did you get my number?" I asked.
"You brought your child to the ER the other day. Your contact info was in the medical records," Lucas replied.
I closed my eyes for a moment.
"Dr. Nolan, is something wrong?" I asked.
There was a brief silence on the other end.
"Your child's test results are back. One of the numbers is a bit high—I recommend a recheck. Bring him in tomorrow," Lucas said.
"Which one?" I asked.
"The eosinophils in the white blood cell differential are a bit elevated. It might just mean your child has allergies, but there could be other reasons too. It's nothing serious, but it's best to double-check," Lucas explained.
"Good," I replied.
"Tomorrow at ten, third floor, pediatrics in the outpatient clinic. Just register under my name," Lucas said.
"Aren't you in the ER?" I asked.
"I cover pediatrics too. That day, I was just subbing for someone," Lucas replied.
"Okay," he mumbled.
The line went quiet again.
"Emma Nolan—" Lucas started.
I hung up.
When I hit the end call button, there wasn't even a moment's hesitation.
He called my name.
He recognized me.
I had no idea when he realized it. Maybe he recognized me that night but just kept quiet in front of the nurse. Or maybe he only figured it out after checking my medical records.
It didn't matter.
Even if he recognized me, it didn't change a thing.
I didn't need anything from him.
I'll take care of the follow-up at another hospital.
I called a pediatric director I knew and set up an appointment for the next day at Eastside Medical Center.
I wasn't going to the First Hospital.
I wasn't going to see Lucas.
That night, I was at home, going over the contract.
The doorbell rang.
The housekeeper went to answer the door.
"Ms. Nolan, someone left a package at the door. They said it was from the hospital," she said.
It was a brown envelope, inside was a detailed lab report and a handwritten note.
I recognized the handwriting.
"Eosinophils: 0.82×10⁹/L. Normal range: 0.02-0.52. Please schedule a follow-up and allergy test as soon as possible. — Lucas Nolan"
He actually brought the report straight to my door.
He knew my address.
It was all there in the hospital records.
I put the report away and tossed the note straight into the trash.
I picked up my phone and sent him a text: "Got the report. I've already scheduled a follow-up at another hospital. Don't come to my house again."
After sending it, I blocked his number.