Erica arrived at the Courtland offices late in the morning. The woman on reception met her with a very sceptical air.

"Do you have an appointment?" the receptionist asked.

Erica replied just as sharply.

"I don't need one! I am an owner of this company! Tell Caleb I am here!"

"He is currently in a meeting. If you could wait…"

"I don't have time to wait. Is he in his office?" Erica asked, marching passed the desk and heading to the elevator.

…

Caleb was in his office but he wasn't alone. He and Marissa were hosting a meeting with Scott and Brooke about the Chandler deal. One last meeting of the minds before Adam was released from hospital tomorrow.

Marissa was giving a brief presentation on her own research into the Chandler finances when Erica pushed opened the door and started at the sight of so many unexpected faces.

"Ah, Dorothy! Glad you could make it. You timed your visit perfectly as always." exclaimed Caleb, acting not the least surprised by her appearance. He pulled out a chair for her and to save face Erica took the proffered seat, not entirely sure what she had walked in on.

"Marissa was just walking us through what she has found out about Chandler." said Caleb. "…Carry on." he added, giving Marissa wink.

Marissa cleared her throat before continuing her presentation.

"After talking to Scott," she said giving a smile to her old friend. "I've realised that the only way both companies are going to be able to move forward with this deal is to propose something radical. I've been looking at the various Chandler holdings and I think I've found a way to expand Chandler in a new direction. I'm not an expert, but Chandler appears to have an excellent option for expansion by moving away from electronics and manufacturing and instead concentrating on the retail sector."

"Retail?" asked Brooke with a furrowed brow.

"Chandler is still a trusted name in the retail market in some parts of Europe. With the right investment I think this might be the ray of light Chandler has been looking for."

"Retail?" said Brooke again. "I'm not sure that Adam would want to give up a lifetime of work to suddenly become a shop keeper."

Marissa sighed.

"I've looked at the figures, like I said I'm not an expert, but it looks like hope…"

"Adam is going to need a lot of persuading." said Scott cautiously.

Caleb leaned forward.

"Well, if we are going to pursue this line of negotiation we need to make our offer as attractive as possible for the meeting with Adam." he looked towards their uninvited guest. "Erica, you know something about retail with your experience in the cosmetics industry, maybe you could help Scott and Marissa work through the numbers"

"Me?" said Erica, she hadn't been paying attention; too busy watching the looks passing between Scott and Marissa …was there something there?

"You can help save your investment here and help a friend in need!" said Caleb.

Everyone was looking her way expectantly; Marissa had a big trusting smile on her face, acting as if she didn't know how Erica felt about her.

Erica sniffed; this wasn't the outcome she had expected when she arrived at the offices today. But she was being given the chance to check on Marissa's work, as well as keeping an eye in the woman herself.

"Very well. We shall arrange a time for a meeting so I can look at this idea!" she said, giving Caleb her most agreeable smile.

"That 'a gal!" said Caleb. "At this rate, we shall have an offer fit for Adam Chandler before the end on the month!"

…

When Erica left Courtland offices along with Brooke and Scott, Marissa was straight on the phone to Jackson.

"You did it!" she exclaimed, "She came just like you said she would."

"And Erica bought it?" Jackson asked, his voice coming through the speaker phone into Caleb's office.

Caleb grinned.

"She bought it hook line and sinker." he said. "Why Captain Marvel who knew you had it in you to be so devious!"

...