Chapter 8 - Rebuilding From Scratch
Back in Denver, Bennett Construction and Design was thriving with a renewed, unstoppable momentum.
By the first week of January, the commercial development project downtown—the one I had redirected all the Evergreen resources toward—was moving forward at breakneck speed. My project manager, Maya, walked into my private office carrying an armful of sleek, modern architectural blueprints, a wide smile lighting up her face.
"Cara, you're not going to believe this," Maya said, tossing a folder onto my desk. "The downtown commercial complex developers just signed off on the expanded lobby design. They loved the custom stonework and the cherrywood millwork we had originally sourced for your parents' estate."
I looked up from my laptop, a genuine smile breaking across my face. "Really? They approved the premium package without cutting the budget?"
"Without batting an eye," Maya laughed, pulling up a chair. "In fact, they increased our contract value by fifteen percent because of the expedited timeline. Word is getting around the commercial sector that Bennett Construction is the most efficient, high-end firm in the state. Our Q1 pipeline is already fully booked for the entire year."
I leaned back in my leather ergonomic chair, looking out the large floor-to-ceiling windows of my downtown office that overlooked the bustling, snow-dusted Denver skyline. The contrast between this vibrant, thriving professional space and the cold, isolated misery of my parents' half-demolished Evergreen estate couldn't have been starker.
"Good," I said quietly, feeling a profound sense of closure. "Let's make sure the team gets a massive bonus this month. Everyone worked overtime through the holidays to pivot those resources."
"Already drafting the payroll adjustments," Maya winked as she stood up to leave. "By the way, your brother Thomas called my office yesterday asking about commercial office space design. He's thinking of launching his own independent consulting firm."
My eyebrows lifted in genuine surprise and delight. "Really? Did he say that?"
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"He said he was inspired watching how a real businesswoman handles her enterprise," Maya smiled. "He wanted to know if you'd be open to grabbing lunch next week."
"Tell him lunch is on me," I said, my heart feeling lighter than it had in decades. "Anytime, anywhere he wants."
