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Silass doors and into Robert Maxwell’s office suite by a twenty-som

ething California girl who introduced herself as Jen and whose über-tanned skin announced that she spent long hours at a tanning salon This was Silicon Valley, not LA That meant a cool, often rainy February Not exactly beach weather So the tan was fake The cordial treatment was real Actually, her attitude was more than merely cordial, Simone noted She was exuberant And while the cordiality was directed at Si that had little to do with Jen’s role at Nano Sins A sparkle in her eyes, a lilt to her step, not to mention the vase of fresh flowers on her desk—clearly Jen was in the throes of a new relationship

With a glowing Jen leading the way, Si this opportunity to survey the extensive work space surrounding Robert Maxwell’s closed office door

There was a teak sitting area that lookedroom, a boardroom that was currently empty but that could easily seat thirty, and an elaborate food preparation area designed to serve elegant cuisine to powerful people

At the rear of the suite, there was one other closed-door inner sanctuold name plate that said Zoe Pearson on it

The hierarchy here was crystal clear

Jen knocked on Robert Maxwell’s door

“Co voice responded

Jen opened the door halfway and gave her boss a bright smile “Ms Martin is here to see you”

“Thanks, Jen Send her in”

Robert Maxwell rose fro around to shake Si man who clearly worked out and paid attention to his appearance, as was evidenced by his neatly trimmed salt-and-pepper beard, his perfectly creased slacks—sans the jacket and tie, which were folded on the back of his executive desk chair—and his trim physique He also had a ready handshake But his demeanor and appearance belied the intensity that ran underneath Maxwell had built this cohly competitive industry He was not to be trifled with

Sihly researched Robert Maxwell Professionally, he was highly respected throughout the industry He was a frequent speaker at Stanford University, teaching and encouraging MBA students who had aspirations of working in the technology sector He attended conferences and se world And he worked tirelessly at his job, never asking more of his employees than he did of himself

Personally, he was an avid golfer He had a wide range of hobbies and interests, including bicycling, as was evidenced by the bicycle hel on the credenza behind his desk And he had a fanificant in his life

All excellent motivations for a healthy sixty-three-year-old y and then e of his life That, however, didn’t mean he planned to totally bow out of Nano, not after all these years The interviews of him that Simone had read reflected his fierce commitment to his company, as well as his total confidence in his staff—a staff he had vetted well and hired because they were the best He deave equal amounts in return And it wasn’t BS Si half a day within these walls Despite the id behavior she’d encountered—not a surprise, given that this was California and not New York City—NanoUSA had a sh-powered corporation

A culture such as that could only originate from its leader