Chapter 5 The investors had already arrived , each of them looking increasingly displeased as they took in the scene before them . The projector hadn't been set up . Half the staff were missing . The entire room was a mess . These were all things I used to handle myself - adjusting the AC , checking the projector , preparing the refreshments . Today , the investors had been sitting there for ages , and no one had even brought them a glass of water . Madeline finally walked in , lipstick smudged , giggling as she stuck out her tongue . " Sorry to keep you waiting , everyone . Here are the snacks I prepared for you . " She placed rows of Yoo - hoo and trays of frosted animal crackerss in front of the investors . Their expressions darkened immediately . One of the older slammed his prayer beads onto the table with a thunderous crack . " What the hell is going on here ? Gavin , explain this ! And where the hell is Sloane ? " Before Gavin could say a word , Madeline jumped in . " Sloane's been fired . " " Fired ? " The investors exchanged looks . " Are you kidding me ? Without Sloane , why should we invest in your company ? " These were investors I had personally recruited , one by one . I'd built the company's entire roadmap myself . Some of these men had been nearly impossible to reach - I'd camped outside one of their homes for a month just to get a five - minute conversation . Over time , I'd grown close to them . We'd even met privately during holidays . Gavin tried to salvage the moment . " Everyone , please . You're here because you believe in the company . Let's move on to the presentation . " Out of respect , the investors reluctantly remained seated . But the sight of Yoo - hoo was clearly offensive . One investor tossed his can straight across the room - it exploded at Madeline's feet . " My skirt ! " Rather than continue the meeting , she crouched down and began fussing over her outfit . Gavin rushed to comfort her , brushing dirt from her hem . " We didn't come here to watch you flirt . Do you have anything real to show us ? If not , we're pulling out . " " Wait please don't pull out . Just give us a minute . We'll begin now . " " Let's not make this worse . Madeline , get on with it . " Only now , sensing how upset the investors truly were , did the other board members begin to panic . Madeline stood and pouted , then started presenting Bull as the stumbled over her words , the investors ' brows drew lighter and tighter . She didn't even know where the data came from . Her export was a disjesated russ " That's mouth . We've seen rough to understand your current management . We'll reconsider our investment . " the sund , antioning to inve The shades sandded to stop lúm . " Picase , don't leave yet we haven't finished showing you our growth plan Madeline , say something CallApp Google Play INSTALL " Gavin , jump in ! Don't let them walk out like this ! " Gavin sprang up , hurrying after them . " Mr. Zimmerman , please don't go . You haven't heard about our future outlook Zimmerman turned around , sneering . or expansion plans . " Do you even understand your own company ? Seems to me the only one who does is Sloane . ' " Chapter 5