|
|
Post by Trey on Sept 10, 2024 11:41:08 GMT -5
I totally think Maggie was selfish and blindsided Philip. She knows their history, and she (once again) put herself first instead of thinking of Philip's feelings. The poor guy has been through a lot (more than what she should be) and Maggie should have asked Mel and Nathan to stay at her old home, or in a separate wing with boundaries.
|
|
|
|
Post by Kpatch on Sept 11, 2024 5:53:39 GMT -5
Chapter 494b
“I’m trying to say I should have been told,” Philip reminded Maggie. “I should have had advance warning. I mean advance notice.”
“Ah. I see.” She set her cup down on the coffee table. “That was clearly an oversight on my part and I apologize. You’re not going to move out because of it, are you? I mean, their bedrooms are in a completely different wing, in the East Wing, near me.”
“Parker wants to live here and I’m not going to let some unpleasant history with them drive me away.”
“Good. I’m glad to hear it.”
“But I’m also not going to want to sit at the dinner table with people who dislike me, night after night.”
“Oh. Well, what’s the alternative?”
“Parker and I can eat in the kitchen,” he replied matter-of-factly.
“Oh Philip! I’d hate for you to have to do that.”
“I ate meals in that kitchen all the time when I was a kid. Henderson and I had some of our best conversations over the kitchen table. It’s not a punishment.”
“Maybe not, but it makes me sad. You know, Melanie and Nathan often eat out. Sometimes together. Sometimes they simply have other plans.”
“Well then, on those occasions, we’ll eat in the main dining room.” Philip rose to his feet and headed over to the bar to pour himself a cup of coffee.
“I feel just awful about this,” Maggie blurted.
Philip looked over his shoulder. “It’s not the end of the world. And, I imagine they’re not staying forever,” he stated pointedly.
“Do you have a problem with Holly staying here?”
Philip turned toward Maggie. “Of course not. Why would I?”
“Well, she’s my grandchild too, and you seem to dislike my grandchildren.” She forced a smile.
Philip forced himself to smile back. “Parker’s your grandson too,” he reminded her. But he felt like he’d made his point, so before this conversation became any more unpleasant, he held up his cup. “I’m going to take my coffee to the study. I have some online research to do.”
Maggie sighed heavily as she turned to watch Philip head into Victor’s study.
|
|
|
|
Post by doolfan4life on Sept 11, 2024 6:49:22 GMT -5
I was glad Maggie apologised until she tried that passive aggressive gaslighting
No Maggie, he clearly doesn’t hate a baby
He has ample reason to dislike the other two grown adults who chose to be awful people
And end of day you are a guest in his home and he’s no longer letting you call the shots
He’s being much nicer about it than I would
The will stated she could live there not that she could invite any Tom dick or harry to live without consulting the owner (Philip)
That wouldn’t have flown with me but Philip is much more gracious
|
|
|
|
Post by André DiMera on Sept 11, 2024 9:12:02 GMT -5
Glad Philip was firm. but polite, with his concerns.
|
|
|
|
Post by Trey on Sept 11, 2024 11:00:10 GMT -5
Dude! Philip was much nicer than I would have been to Maggie's passive aggressive comment about her grandchildren. Maybe if your grandchildren weren't selfish spoiled little twits who could behave like adults... pft
Glad Philip held his ground!
|
|
|
|
Post by mae00 on Sept 11, 2024 17:17:37 GMT -5
I'm glad Philip was blunt and honest with Maggie on his feelings about Nathan and Melanie being there and his expectations around other "guests". I also like that he was willing to compromise on eating with Maggie - even if he does end up in the kitchen more than the dining room.
I felt like Maggie's comment about Holly was a bit unnecessary tho. She knows there is history with Melanie and Nathan. Why would there be history with a new baby? I'm sure her feelings are hurt and she was trying to lighten the mood some, but there was no need for what seemed like a back-handed comment. I'm glad that Philip reminded her that Parker is her grandchild as well.
|
|
|
|
Post by Kpatch on Sept 12, 2024 7:26:15 GMT -5
Chapter 495
Philip had called his realtor Suzanne to ask her to look for a good deal on commercial office space. He didn’t want to use the mansion as an office anymore, not when they’d be discussing industry secrets and interviewing suppliers and potential job candidates. It was important for this venture to begin feeling like a real business, and that started with the environment. Philip, Justin and Xander would each need an office with a closed door and they’d need some cubicles for other staff members who had yet to be hired.
Justin volunteered to take point on dealing with the realtor and looking over the lease contracts since he knew a little about real estate law. He knocked on the open door to Philip’s study in the mansion and entered. Holding the back of a guest chair, he said, “You’re not going to believe this.”
“Uh oh.” Philip tossed his pencil on the desk. “What’s going on? Or don’t I want to know?”
Justin came around and sat down in the guest chair. “You definitely want to hear this. You may even like it. Me? I’m merely amused.”
Philip sat back in his chair. “Go for it.”
“Suzanne found us some pretty sweet office space. Downtown. Central location. In an existing office building. Fifth floor. Nice view of the city. Reasonably priced.”
“Sounds great. Have you seen it?”
“Yes and so have you.” Philip squinted, so Justin added, “It’s in the Titan building. One Titan Plaza.”
Philip raised his brows. “Shin is renting out space in the Titan building?”
“Shin sold the building. It’s not part of Titan’s holdings anymore. Apparently they’ve got empty spaces to fill since Shin offshored Titan’s entire Shipping and Distribution department. Moved those operations to Asia. The building’s management company is renting the space.”
“Well, I guess that makes sense since Titan already has operations in China.”
“Shin has dozens of warehouses in China too. It’s much cheaper doing business overseas,” Justin reasoned. “No workers unions, bargaining agreements or medical insurance to pay.”
“Does Shin work at Titan HQ?”
“Pretty much never,” Justin replied. “He runs his empire from his own worldwide headquarters in Beijing.”
“Meanwhile, he’s made Titan a shell of its former self,” Philip noted sadly. “Good thing we unloaded those shares.”
“So, what do you think?” Justin pressed. “Wanna check out the space?”
“We already know what the fifth floor of Titan Headquarters looks like, but sure. We’ll be looking at it from a different perspective.”
“Great.” Justin slapped his thighs and rose from his chair. “I’ll give Suzanne a call.”
“Justin, before you go.” Philip picked up an Excel spreadsheet he’d printed out and handed it to Justin. “I created a list of Titan employees that I’d like to bring into the new company when we’re ready to start hiring. Could you check and see if they have noncompete clauses in their contracts?”
“Good idea,” Justin agreed.
“If they’ve been fired, does it invalidate the noncompete?” Philip asked.
“Sometimes, but not always.” Justin looked over the spreadsheet Philip handed him.
“Feel free to add anyone you think should be on the list.”
~~~
After Justin left the study, Philip pressed some keys on his phone and sent a text. “Are you available to meet at the Hourglass Cafe tomorrow at 11:30? I have a business proposition for you.” A moment later, Philip’s phone dinged with the reply, “I’ll be there.”
|
|
|
|
Post by André DiMera on Sept 12, 2024 7:51:17 GMT -5
It would be interesting if K3 ended up operating out of the old Titan building.
|
|
|
|
Post by doolfan4life on Sept 12, 2024 7:53:32 GMT -5
Well watch out mr shin looks like K3 is going to come for you
I think this is great news
|
|
|
|
Post by Trey on Sept 12, 2024 10:56:10 GMT -5
Interesting that they'll have the same space. I'm sure the former employees will go back in a heartbeat. Philip was a good boss.
|
|
|
|
Post by mae00 on Sept 12, 2024 11:37:06 GMT -5
I have no doubts that former employees would go back to work for Philip.
I've had a feeling that in the long run, Philip would regain Titan from the Shin's. I wasn't expecting him to be back in the Titan building this quick tho. Sounds like things are starting to move for them. I'm glad.
|
|
|
|
Post by heroicmuse on Sept 12, 2024 13:42:46 GMT -5
I'm glad Philip can reclaim the Titam building. He's going to build Titan 2.0, which is great.
|
|
|
|
Post by Kpatch on Sept 12, 2024 21:47:21 GMT -5
I left a small scene off the end of today's chapter. I added it back above, but I'm also pasting it here for reference, before tomorrow's chapter.
Chapter 495 Addendum
After Justin left the study, Philip pressed some keys on his phone and sent a text. “Are you available to meet at the Hourglass Cafe tomorrow at 11:30? I have a business proposition for you.” A moment later, Philip’s phone dinged with the reply, “I’ll be there.”
|
|
|
|
Post by Trey on Sept 13, 2024 6:13:32 GMT -5
Ooh mysterious!
|
|
|
|
Post by Kpatch on Sept 13, 2024 6:59:51 GMT -5
Chapter 496a
After Justin left the study, Philip pressed some keys on his phone and sent a text. “Are you available to meet at the Hourglass Cafe tomorrow at 11:30? I have a business proposition for you.” A moment later, Philip’s phone dinged with the reply, “I’ll be there.”
~~~
Gabi was still in bed sleeping the next morning when JJ came out of the shower with a towel wrapped around his waist. He went to the dresser to check his phone but accidentally picked up Gabi’s. Before he realized it wasn’t his phone, a calendar alert popped up that said, “Lunch with Philip. Hourglass Cafe. 11:30.” What the hell? JJ turned his head and looked at Gabi in bed, naturally beautiful and peacefully sleeping.
Feeling a little hazy, he put Gabi’s phone down and picked up his own. It was time to get dressed for work, but he’d surely be confronting her about this later.
~~~
Philip stood up as Gabi came to his table at the cafe, a bright smile lighting her face. He gestured toward the chair at the small round table in the square and she took a seat. “I was so surprised to hear from you.”
“I’m glad you agreed to come,” he told her.
“You said you have a business proposition.”
“I do. You know I’m not with Titan anymore.”
“I read about that.”
“I’m starting a new business with a couple of partners and we’re going to need an event planner.”
“Oh.” Gabi looked disappointed. “If you’re offering me a job—.”
“I’m not, not really. See, we’re going to need to get our name out there as fast as possible. That means my partners and I are going to need to attend all the industry trade shows we can. And that’s where you come in.”
“Okay.”
“We need someone who can set up our booth, get us credentials, get us on the speaker’s panel.” He cocked his head. “Do you know how to write a press release?”
“Of course. I’ve written dozens of press releases for Party Chic.”
“Good. We’ll need that too. Just to be clear, this is not a full-time job. It’s a contract position, so don’t think I’d expect you to quit your business.”
“That’s good to know, but why me?”
Philip chuckled. “What do you mean, why you? I’ve done business with you. The engagement party last summer. And you single-handedly arranged my daughter’s memorial service at a time I couldn’t deal with it. So I know your capabilities. I know you’re smart and ambitious and responsible and focused and will get it done. And I trust you. What else do I need to know?”
Gabi looked down. “Funny that you say you can trust me. I kissed you at the most inappropriate time. I still feel guilty about that.” She looked up. “I don’t think I ever apologized to you for that.”
|
|
