Scott was talking in the foyer to the receptionist, checking if the post had arrived. He noticed Marissa walking in. She didn't see him, just headed straight for the elevator. He nodded his apology to the girl at the desk and hurried after her, curious why she was here at the Chandler building. Wasn't it her first day back at work today. What was the reason for the visit?

He caught up with her in the elevator.

"Hey. You're looking better." he said, catching his breath after his dash.

Marissa gave him a smile but she seemed troubled.

"You too." she said. "And Holly's doing alright at the Miranda centre?"

"She is."

Marissa looked at him hard for a moment.

"Scott, do you know about Adam's deal?"

"The Joossen deal?"

"No, the deal Adam has drawn up for the Courtland sale."

Scott's face grew more serious.

"I know he wants to invite you to join the company. Is that why you are here to see Adam? Because I must say it would be great to be working with you again."

Marissa seemed surprised by Scott's reply.

"He didn't exactly ask…" said Marissa cautiously.

"Then what..?" asked Scott, now concerned. "I've been a little out of loop with the Courtland negotiations because I'm heading the Joossen deal…"

Marissa patted his arm.

"Don't worry. I'll talk to Adam. I've made an appointment with secretary." explained Marissa. "I just want to find out what he really wants from me."

…

Adam got up from his desk as Marissa walked in. He looked quite pleased to see her.

Marissa shook his proffered hand and took her seat.

"I can guess that you are here to discuss my job offer." he said, sitting down on his own chair.

"It sounded more like a condition of the sale..." said Marissa.

"It was." said Adam frankly. He had clearly decided to opt for honesty.

Marissa shook her head in disbelief.

"What exactly do you want from me?"

"I want you to be part of my company."

"As what?"

"Perhaps a partner… eventually. I need to pass on my legacy one day. Scott; he means well but he just doesn't have that edge you need to move things forward!"

"And I do?" asked Marissa incredulously.

"You do. You notice things that others miss. You have an integrity and discipline, which I admire. You are what this company needs."

"You got all that from me negotiating one deal… And it wasn't just me! There were others just as involved." insisted Marissa.

"You're modest too." said Adam still smiling. "I gave you a compliment, take it! Can't you see that you were the catalyst? It all came from you! I want you on the board and I'm not going to take no for an answer."

"Look," snapped Marissa leaning forward. "I don't want to be a business manager or whatever you see me doing here. I'm lawyer. I trained hard get where I am…"

"Then I'll make the head of our legal department…" said Adam.

"No!" snapped Marissa. "I'm a lawyer. I specialise in corporate law… I've had the chance to be a criminal lawyer and a divorce lawyer… but corporate law is what I love. Fighting injustice one carefully worded sub-clause at a time… I don't want to run a department; I just want to do my job. And my job is at Courtland."

"But your job should be here." said Adam.

"Why? And it's not because I'm some business marvel… because I'm not. I just got lucky spotting something in the small print because… well, that's what lawyers do!"

"Fine." said Adam sitting slowly back in his chair. "I want you to do it for my sake… and for AJ. I want you to do it for the family."

"But I'm not family."

"If you are the mother of my grandson then you are family!" said Adam sternly. "If this isn't a legacy I can pass to my son I need to have something worthy to pass to my grandson!"

Marissa sighed; she'd guessed this was the reason.

"I made a conscious decision not to work for Chandler when I was offered the chance. And after my history with some of the members of your family I wanted to keep my distance. And you're also making a big the assumption that AJ wants all this; he's only a little kid. What if he grows up wanting to be an artist or a plumber or a doctor?"

"He's a Chandler. He'll want it."

Marissa stared at the old man behind the desk. How could she tell him that what he was offering was a poison chalice? She had seen first-hand what this company had done to JR… to Scott… and to Adam himself. She couldn't. Even if she told him he wouldn't hear it. She would have to try a different tack.

"And if I say no?" she said.

"I'm sorry?" asked Adam; that was not the answer he was expecting.

"If I say no to this job offer are you going to risk everything we have worked for? If the Courtland buyout doesn't go through then you won't have the capital for the Joossen sale. You'll be left with nothing!"

"Then you can't say no." said Adam.

Marissa shook her head.

"That's blackmail!" she exclaimed.

"That's business." replied Adam. "You have to take risks… big risks! Employees lives… millions of dollars… the rise or fall of empires are in the balance with every decision you make when you reach the top in this world. This is a lesson for you. A lot of lives, including my own, rest on your decision. You have to make the right one!"

Marissa stared into his eyes. He wasn't bluffing. He was really ready to throw it all away if she didn't say yes.

"I just lawyer." she said quietly.

"Then you can be a lawyer here." said Adam. "The best lawyer you can be."

Marissa collapsed a little in her chair when she realised she had already surrendered; and Adam knew it.

"I'm not happy." she said.

Adam smile widened.

"But you have made the right decision. I said you were good! Welcome aboard!"

…