Chapter 11 - THE MAN WHO LEARNED TO LISTEN
Bennett invited Clara to dinner.
Not a business dinner.
Not a negotiation.
A real dinner.
He asked carefully.
“Would you be interested in going out with me?”
Clara looked surprised.
“As your consultant?”
“No.”
“As your employee?”
He shook his head.
“As someone I'd like to know better.”
Clara considered.
“Bennett, there's a problem.”
He nodded.
“I know.”
“You're still the chief executive of the company that employs me.”
He sighed.
“Yes.”
“And that creates complications.”
“I agree.”
She looked at him.
“Then let's wait until my consulting work is finished.”
Bennett smiled faintly.
“Fair.”
Clara raised an eyebrow.
“You're taking that surprisingly well.”
He laughed.
“I'm learning that hearing no isn't the end of the world.”
She smiled.
“Good.”
Over the following months, they remained professional.
Bennett continued rebuilding the company.
He delegated more responsibility.
Improved internal controls.
Changed the way executives reported concerns.
He also began making time for things outside work.
One evening, Noah invited him to a small dinner at the apartment.
Bennett accepted.
He arrived carrying flowers.
Noah opened the door.
“Are those for my sister?”
Bennett nodded.
Noah grinned.
“Then you're definitely in trouble.”
Clara appeared behind him.
She looked at the flowers.
Then at Bennett.
“Beautiful.”
He smiled.
“I was told you like lilies.”
She raised an eyebrow.
“By whom?”
Noah suddenly became very interested in the ceiling.
May you like
Clara laughed.
For the first time in years, Bennett felt comfortable in a room where nobody cared how much money he had.
