Chapter 173
Chapter 173
I chuckled and nodded. “Just trying to catch up on all the company stuff as fast as I can.”
“I get it, but you’re coming in way too early. You know we don’t do overtime, right?” Ron joked. I smiled a little. “Yeah, it’s voluntary.”
“That’s why you’re a department head. If everyone was as dedicated as you, OceanixCorp would be unstoppable.” His flattery was almost laughable, but with Ron, it was hard to tell if he was joking or serious, so I never really took it to heart.
“But seriously,” he added, his tone shifting, “the company can’t run on your back alone. I’ve noticed how hard you’ve been working, and I’ve already let the higher–ups know. The boss said no more of this early morning routine. If you burn out, it’d be a real loss for the company.”
So, just like that, Ron had made sure I couldn’t sneak in those early hours anymore.
But that was fine. I didn’t feel the need to dodge Hayden anymore. He hadn’t left breakfast at my door for the past few days, so I figured he’d finally gotten the hint.
“I heard you’ve got a big client coming in today?” Ron asked, switching gears.
“Yeah, they’re coming at ten. Just about an hour from now,” I said, flashing a quick smile. “Mr. Shane, if you’ll excuse me, I need to finish prepping.
“Of course, good luck,” Ron said, raising his coffee cup in a laid–back salute.
I headed back to my office and went over all the materials one more time. By 9:50, I was already in the conference room, making sure everything was set,
This client was a big deal. If we landed this account, it’d more than make up for the resources Jace had snatched from me recently–and it’d boost our numbers a few percentage points, which wouldn’t hurt either.
Right on the dot, at ten, the client walked in.
But the moment I saw who it was, my face fell.
It was Jace.
The company I was supposed to negotiate with wasn’t RiverwaveCorp, so now he’d come sneaking in under some other name.
He caught the shift in my expression right away but just smiled like he had all the time in the world, extending his hand. “Hello, Ms. Kay.”
I didn’t take it. I just stared at him, feeling my anger flare. The smug look on his face, the way he acted like he was running the show, made my blood boil.
But I held it together and shot back coolly, “Are you really here to talk business, or just to mess with me?” “Business, obviously. What else would I be here for?” Jace shot back, all bad boy swagger.
It was such a sharp contrast from the cold, distant front he used to put up around me.
25 BONUS
Chapter 173
“Fine. Let’s get started on the terms of the deal,” I said, knowing full well he had an agenda. But still, I went through the motions, keeping it professional, even if I didn’t trust a word he said.
I had already gone over the details of this new company, EverRise Energy. It was a young startup, only. two years old, but with major potential and rapid growth.
It was obvious Jace wasn’t putting all his eggs in the RiverwaveCorp basket. And it wasn’t hard to see why -RiverwaveCorp was his father’s legacy, and Wayne always had a say in things.
Jace played along smoothly, agreeing to every single one of my terms without batting an eye.
His cooperation was almost too smooth, which instantly set off alarms in my head. There was no way Jace was here just to talk business.
Sure enough, after we wrapped up negotiations and it came time for him to sign the contract, he pulled me aside and said, “Rea, why are you wasting your time as a small department director at this tiny company?”
I stayed silent, just pressing my lips together and staring at him.
“Stop being so stubborn,” Jace continued, his tone casual but dripping with that air of superiority he always carried. “I’ll make you the boss. EverRise Energy could be yours.”
“Looks like you’re not here to talk business after all,” I shot back sarcastically. “You’re trying to poach me. “I’m just trying to bring you back to my side,” Jace said, showing a rare flicker of genuine emotion.
I glanced at his thin lips. Old folks in Kehlmark always said men with thin lips were heartless, and maybe there was some truth to it.
“There’s no point in saying it again. You get that we’re done, right?” I said, keeping my tone steady. Jace’s face twisted in frustration. “I’ve done all of this for you, and you still want more?”
“What I want,” I replied, calm but firm, “is for you to quit holding on to the past and end this stupid back- and–forth.”
His fake smile faded, and the tension between us hit a whole new level.
Before he could fire back, Ron strolled up, standing next to me. He gave Jace a quick nod, then turned to me. “Ms. Kay, just got word from the boss. He’s not signing off on the deal.”
