Chapter 6 - The Name Above the Door
Six months after the gala, Maddox Alder Holdings prepared to open its largest project yet.
A forty-two-story residential tower with affordable units occupying the lower twelve floors and commercial space above them.
Tessa had designed the entire redevelopment.
Her name appeared on every document.
That should have been enough.
Apparently, someone disagreed.
Three days before opening, Tessa entered the lobby and stopped.
A brass plaque had been installed beside the entrance.
THE MADDOX RESIDENCES
She stared at it.
Then she called Silas.
He answered immediately.
“Morning.”
“Where are you?”
“Office.”
“Come downstairs.”
“Why?”
“Because I'm deciding whether this plaque will survive the next five minutes.”
Silence.
Then:
“Coming.”
He arrived two minutes later.
Tessa pointed.
“What is that?”
“A plaque.”
“Excellent. Your observational skills remain exceptional.”
Silas looked at the lettering.
“What's wrong?”
“Your name is on it.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“My company owns it.”
“Your company financed it.”
“And owns it.”
Tessa folded her arms.
“You told me this project would represent the people who built it.”
“It does.”
“Where?”
Silas looked around.
“The credits wall is upstairs.”
“Upstairs?”
“Yes.”
“So every billionaire walking through the entrance sees Maddox, and the names of the engineers, planners and workers are hidden upstairs?”
Silas stared at the plaque.
Tessa waited.
Finally he said, “You're right.”
She blinked.
“That was fast.”
“I've learned resistance only extends these conversations.”
“Smart.”
Silas pulled out his phone.
“What do you want?”
Tessa thought.
“No giant architect name.”
“You don't want yours?”
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because two hundred and fourteen people built this place.”
She pointed toward the entrance.
“Put them there.”
Silas called the contractor.
The plaque disappeared that afternoon.
Opening night arrived.
Tessa entered the lobby and stopped.
The entire entrance wall had changed.
Hundreds of names had been engraved into dark stone.
Architects.
Electricians.
Carpenters.
Engineers.
Painters.
Cleaners.
Apprentices.
Security personnel.
Everyone.
Tessa found her name among them.
Not larger.
Not smaller.
Just there.
Silas approached behind her.
“Better?”
“Much.”
She looked at him.
Then noticed another inscription.
At the bottom:
A BUILDING BELONGS TO THE PEOPLE WHO BUILD IT.
Tessa smiled.
“You stole that from me.”
“You said it during an argument.”
“Still theft.”
“I'll pay royalties.”
“Expensive.”
“I can afford it.”
They walked toward the ballroom.
Silas stopped outside the doors.
“Tessa.”
She turned.
He seemed uncomfortable.
That was rare.
“What?”
“I have another question.”
“If it's about additional units, no.”
“It isn't.”
“Then ask.”
Silas looked at her for a long moment.
“Have dinner with me.”
“We eat together constantly.”
“Not work.”
She understood.
“Oh.”
Silas Maddox, the man who could silence four hundred people by standing up, suddenly looked uncertain.
Tessa enjoyed that more than she should have.
“Are you nervous?”
“No.”
“You are.”
“I withdraw the invitation.”
“No, you don't.”
His eyes narrowed.
Tessa smiled.
“Friday.”
“Seven?”
“Seven-thirty.”
“Why?”
“Because I enjoy negotiating.”
Silas laughed quietly.
“Seven-thirty.”
She walked toward the ballroom.
“Tessa?”
She looked back.
“Yes?”
“No table one.”
She smiled.
May you like
“Good.”
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