bChapter /bb427 /b

    The executives and board members who had been about to speak saw his genuine anger and quickly swallowed their words. bThat /bbwas /bbfine- /bif n A didn’t work, they still had n B.

    When Brian called for the next presentation, the nning department manager shot up from his chair. “Mr. Atkinson, I have some bnew /bbideas /babout thepany’s future development direction,” he announced.

    Brian nodded slightly at him. “Go ahead.”

    The nning manager immediately projected his prepared presentation onto the big screen. “Everyone, please look at the screen. This is a chart Ipiled showing recent factors affecting our product sales.

    “ording to the data, the trending topics generated by Mr. Atkinson and Mrs. Atkinson have significantly boosted sales across all our major products.”

    Brian’s brow furrowed as he listened. He looked up at the nning manager, who was still enthusiastically exining his research to the room, and coldly interrupted him. “Just get to your point.”

    He hoped this wasn’t going where he thought it was going, or else–Brian’s grip tightened on his pen with a sharp motion.

    The nning manager waspletely oblivious to the warning signs. He thought Brian was just annoyed by his lengthy exnation, so he quickly cut to the chase.

    “Mr. Atkinson, my rmendation is that thepany should focus on the maternity and baby industry, couples‘ jewelry, and fashion for the next six months to three years. We could even start building buzz around baby products right now.

    “Once your child with Mrs. Atkinson is born, we add some light promotion, and ourpany will absolutely dominate that market.”

    The nning department manager finished his pitch and couldn’t help but nce smugly at the colleagues who had just been shot down by Brian.

    ‘Live streaming and making videos to stay relevant? Please,i‘ /ihe thought

    revenue streams for thepany–now that’s real strategy!‘

    ‘Using this momentum to break into new industries and find fresh

    Plus, this approach would perfectly avoid the areas where Brian and Jessica didn’t want to be marketed.

    All they’d need to doter was have the officialpany ount post congrattions when Jessica’s baby was born, then asionally share some press releases about Jessica usingpany products.

    The nning manager had already figured out exactly how to write the copy.

    The other executives and board members in the conference room looked thoughtful, and soon someone chimed in with support.

    “That’s a solid proposal. I’m on board.”

    “I agree too. Thepany hasn’t expanded into new sectors in ages. This would be a perfect opportunity to test the waters in the maternity market.”

    “Exactly. Count me in as well.”

    Brian looked at the smug nning manager, then nced around at the executives and managers who had mostly bvoted /bbin /bbfavor /bbof /bbthe /bproposal. Suddenly, be shot to his feet and mmed his hand down hard on the conference table.

    The bforce /bwas so strong that the solid wood table shook bfor /bseveral bseconds/b.

    bi1/2 /i/b

    bChapter /bb427 /b

    b“/bbEveryone /bbshut up/bb!/bb” /bBrian’s furious roar left everyone in the room stunned.

    bThe /bbnning /bmanager, who had been certain his proposal would pass unanimously, went pale as a sheet.

    “Mr. Atkinson, I-” he stammered. ‘What did I say wrong?‘ he thought desperately. ‘I was only thinking about what’s best for the bpany /b

    Brian’s ice–cold stare locked onto the nning manager, who feltpletely bewildered by the sudden attack. Brian knew this bwasn’t /bbreally /bbthe /bman’s fault, but he couldn’t help his anger..

    He took a deep breath and looked away, then nted both hands on the table and leaned forward to address the entire roomb. /b

    His voice was sharp and final. “I’m going to say this onest time. I refuse any marketing campaign that involves my rtionship bwith /bmy wife. Do you understand me?”

    His rtionship with Jessica had never been something that could be measured in dors and cents. It didn’t matter that they were divorced now–even if they weren’t, even if they had gotten back together, he would never use their rtionship as a marketing tool.

    bAD /b

    Comment