xp_logs | A business deal; Hope and Warren

Hope goes to Warren with an interesting business proposal.

"Look, I know I am inexperienced with this... But I do truly believe that this could be profitable for both parties. The details would need work, but the basis is solid." Hope punctuated her words with firm hand gestures.

It could work, thought Warren as he tapped his pen on his desk. It had its cons, mind you, the largest being that he wasn't wholly in control BUT if it worked.... "Does your father know you're here? I mean, this proposal..." He poked it with his pen and gave a nod. "It's stellar, Miss Abbott. Very clean, very appealing. I'm not against a partnership, but I'm not the easiest person to deal with."‎

"Is that why an option like this was never considered?" Hope asked curiously. "Because you would not fully be in control? While you would be opening up one of the largest upcoming markets in the world?"

"Basically." He stretched his neck and rolled his shoulders. "It's better to be the one who came up with the idea instead of the one who went along for the ride." But what she was saying was true, and with the turbulence in the world these days.... He narrowed his eyes at her, realizing she'd easily side-stepped his question. "Again, he DOES know you're here, right?"

"That would be the next step, Mr. Worthington." Hope easily replied. "I choose not to worry him or get his hopes up before I knew my idea was even possible. He is aware that I might be able to introduce him to a few people and we discussed that Regent Crest Trading is looking for new business opportunities. I hope that if it comes to fruition, that anything on my part will be treated with discretion?"

Warren gave her an amused smile. "You don't want credit? This could help your credence, you know."

"I am not the one whom the credit should go to. I only took an idea that was quite obvious and I will be introducing two people who will hopefully be rightfully gaining said credit by creating profitable deal with all the bells and whistles." Hope easily demurred. "I do not want to stand in anyone's way."

Warren gave her a curious look. There was always more to Hope than met the eye, and he had to wonder how this would come back to bite him. But the numbers worked, and the idea was almost too perfect ..... "Alright," he said finally. "I'll approach him. I'll tell him how I received an interesting tip and I want to move forward with it. Take you out of this equation entirely." He shuffled a few papers next to him. "Besides, it provides me with the last bit of capital I need to oust my father....hm. Anything else you wish to share, Ms. Abbott?"

Filling the bit of information of him trying to oust his father away, she replied: "Thank you, Mr. Worthington, for letting me stay anonymous." Hope thought for a moment, then added. "While he has learned to think on a broader perspective, like CEO is to do, my father remains a financial man at heart. He likes clear numbers and dotted i's and crossed t's. Perhaps it will help you to make the deal."

Warren almost rolled his eyes. "Right, I think that's safe to say about any business man. Still trying to figure out your angle though. Why do you want this to succeed so much? It has to benefit someone....are you sleeping with someone important maybe...hmm..."

Hope raised an eyebrow at him. "Do not say I didn't warn you. And my angle? It's nothing more then a daughter trying to help her father and perhaps learning some things along the way. I am sure you have assisted your father in some business endeavors when you were young and learned from them as well?"

This was true, but Warren had also learned the hard way that credit due only went so far. But maybe Hope had to learn this lesson as well....."Alright then." He stretched out his hand. "Thanks for the tip. I'll make sure you're appropriately compensated for it. And by the way -- nice earrings."

"Thank you. I am very fond of them." She touched the golden hibiscus studs gently with one finger. "But if there is nothing else, I think I have to get back to my research. I am still trying to get to the bottom of what is going on at that company... I still think it is not fraud." With a small grin Hope finished: "Let's just say my new skills have gotten quite a workout with this."

He grinned in response. "Looks like XFI isn't wholly useless after all. See? Transferable skills are everywhere."

"You may be right, Mr. Worthington." Hope shot back. "I am finding it a useful testing ground for all kinds of transferable skills that I have picked up. I just wish it was the same for you." She softened that last bit with a wink.

Warren shrugged. "It's not as romantic as I'd envisioned having a detective agency to be, but I do enjoy the uniform." ‎ Clearing his throat, he gave a pointed look at his computer. "Now if you don't mind, I have emails to write."

"Of course, I will let you get back to your work." Hope rose from her chair, smoothing her skirt down as she did. "Good luck on your venture, Mr. Worthington."