“That’s. I’m.” In her short speech, she’s dropped so many personal details that I want to latch onto and pursue further.
But there’s one that’s especially pressing. “You told your father I took you home?”
“No. Noooo.” She waves her hand emphasizing the degree to which I’ve got the wrong impression. “It was more of a secret spiteful gesture. I know it sounds silly. It made me feel self-righteous at the time. Anyway, it’s backfired because now you also don’t seem to be interested in any business talk with me. Which is truly a shame, I might add. I was the top of my class at Cambridge. I have innovative ideas to bring to Werner Media. Accelecom would be such a major coup to have a partnership with, and if you’d just hear me out, I’m certain I could impress you.”
“Hold on.” I put my hand up to stop her from saying any more. There is shit that needs to be cleared up here and quick. “First of all, I’m already impressed.” She’s obviously smart as well as classy. I’m so impressed I can’t get comfortable in my chair, but mentioning that would probably help her case and not mine.
“Second of all, I am not a misogynist. I’d be more than interested in any idea you might have for Pierce Industries.” I’m already trying to think of places we could use her, and I don’t even know exactly what it is she does or what she has to offer. Well, besides the obvious. “But I’m not sure why you’d want to talk to me about Werner Media.”
“Because with Warren Werner about to retire, you’re going to need someone new at the helm. There’s no one currently primed to take his spot.”
“Yes, I agree. Just, that’s not part of our portfolio. If you’d like me to get you in touch with Warren—”
She folds her arms over her chest and gives me a stern look. “You don’t need to be dodgy. You’ve done well at keeping it under wraps, but I’m fully aware that Pierce Industries owns the majority shares of Werner Media.”
“No, we don’t.” I’m starting to wish we did, but sadly, no.
“Yes. You do. Your brother obtained controlling interest about five years ago.”
“No, he didn’t.”
“He did,” she insists, frustration lacing her tone. “Are you really not aware? Pierce Industries has been a silent partner, letting Warren Werner maintain the position of figurehead.”
She’s so sure of herself, I consider the possibility. I mean, there is a lot that Hudson doesn’t tell me. It’s a big business, and I’ve only been working full-time since I finished my MBA last year. So it’s feasible that we have deals that I’m not quite caught up on.
If what she’s suggesting is true, it would explain Hudson’s interest in Werner Media forming a partnership with Accelecom. And why he wanted me to make a good impression at the gala.
Actually, it makes a lot of sense.
It’s my turn to study her. “How do you know all this? If this information hasn’t been made privy to the public, I don’t understand how you know about it.”
“Well, I know about it from my father.”
“Who’s your father?”
“Edward Fasbender.”
I drop my leg to the floor and sit forward. “Your father’s the head of Accelecom?”
“Yes. Didn’t you realize? You saw me with him.”
Exactly the man my brother was hoping I’d impress. And I went ahead and banged the guy’s daughter. And his daughter wasn’t satisfied. This situation is starting to look bad.
I ball my hand in a fist and run it along my forehead. “I didn’t realize he was Edward Fasbender. And that still doesn't explain how Accelecom knows about Pierce Industries’ silent share majority.” The pieces aren’t coming together, but I’m starting to sense that when they do, it’s going to be even worse than it is now. If that’s possible.
“Oh. I see. But of course we know about Werner Media from my stepmother.”
“Your stepmother?”
The intercom sounds before she has a chance to answer. Three solid beeps and then Trish’s voice fills the air. “Chandler, I thought you’d want to know that Hudson just called and he’s on his way up with Edward Fasbender.”
Yep, I knew it was going to get worse.
Genevieve bolts up from her chair. “Oh shit. My father doesn’t know I’m here. If he finds out, he’s going to be mad as hell.”
Way worse.
I stand and move toward her. “Then we better get going before they get up here. Come on. We can slip out to—” I’m about to say my office when I remember I’d led her to believe this was my office. “To my other office.”
She seems confused—naturally—but doesn't hesitate when I put my hand on her shoulder to direct her out of the room. My skin feels instantly charged. How the hell can she say she didn’t have a good enough time?
Probably shouldn’t be worrying about that right now.
I open the door, but instead of moving out, her eyes double in size. “Fuck!” She scurries to hide behind me, urging me to close the door again.
I don’t have to ask why because I spotted them myself—Hudson and the man from the gala stepping out of the elevator.
I shut the door and press my back against it. Running a hand through my hair, I will myself to think of something. And quick.
Looking even paler than normal, Genevieve begins pacing and cursing. “Shit, shit, shit!”
There is another escape route from this office—the single elevator that leads to the loft above. It used to be where Hudson lived when he was a bachelor. Now I live there, but since my brother doesn’t particularly like the idea of me having free rein to just drop into his office whenever I like, he’s removed the access key.