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“I have a pro and ulti off her options “As it happens, it’s in the hu in that direction”

“And you’re more than qualified to do so” David hadn’t looked surprised He’d looked like he was about to pitch so

Zoe waited

David had indeed wanted to pitch so Rather than presenting a potential career opportunity at another co on board at Franklin Wales—not as an employee but as a full partner

“We’re actively pursuing qualified people who can bring with them a substantial network of tech contacts and do a buy-in into our company”

Zoe had felt the wind go out of her sails She knew exactly what a buy-in would mean “I don’t have the kind of capital to invest that you’d require,” she’d said “But I’m flattered that Franklin Wales would consider me”

David had waved away her obviously anticipated objection “Given your incoo But there are other perks you bring with you For exah-level executives, both inside and outside NanoUSA—executives we’d love to have access to”

Access to? That triggered warning bells in Zoe’s head “What exactly is it we’re talking about here?”

“Nothing unethical,” David had reassured her with a hint of a s that your value-add is that you’d open a lot of doors for us if you joined our

tea people out of Nano—but only if those people are equally interested inBut the same applies to executives at the many other companies you deal with You’re in a unique position to ht opportunities—and to knohich executives and which companies to approach”

Zoe had sipped her wine She couldn’t argue that point

David went the next step—one that was the very Achilles heel she’d been conte when he’d approached her “You said you have a promotion on the horizon Just beware that as you walk, the horizon always recedes—you rarely actually get to it”

“I recognize that But I work for a very honorable company”

“Coe—especially when the CEO is in his sixties and about to reach the pinnacle of his career by releasing cutting-edge, ga to me”

Zoe pressed her lips together and said nothing