Chapter 24
Twenty-Four
Ava
I’m wearing my red power suit again, the one I know I look good in, but it doesn’t give me the same confidence as it usually does.
My marketing team is set up on the floor below this one in their new work office.
Everything we could need for this job has been provided.
I don’t think I’ve ever worked for a company as thorough and fair as Fox Industries.
Funny thing is, it’s not just because of me.
The employees here all seem happy, all excited to talk about their job and the importance of it.
Still, none of that can distract me from what I’m here to do.
Look Ric in the eyes again.
I’d had a panic attack at the restaurant, but this is different.
This is on my own terms, and Ric won’t get anywhere near touching me.
Dagen has assured me that I’ll be safe, that if I don’t want him to get anywhere near me, he’ll personally make sure I never get close enough for him to even breathe my air.
And if there’s one person I trust in all this, it’s Dagen.
Maybe that makes me a fool, but I don’t care.
I understand what we’re going for here. This is a powerplay.
Ric thinks he has all the advantages, but he has absolutely no idea.
A narcissist wants to be in control. The moment he sees that Dagen not only cancelled the contract, but he also is working with me, Ric will lose his mind. I can’t wait to see it.
At two-thirty, I prepare myself. At three, I’m heading to the elevator.
Normally, I’d have been early, but Dagen assured me it’s best to arrive a minute late.
I won’t be walking into the room until I get the signal from Dagen, that way we get the full dramatic effect with my entrance.
Despite knowing all this, I’m shaking by the time I reach the top floor and exit the elevator.
“The meeting has started, Ms. Hutcherson,” Dagen’s secretary, says as I step out of the elevator. “He’s going to buzz me when it’s your turn to come in.”
I nod and take a deep breath. “Thank you, Cynthia.”
She nods in understanding. If there’s anyone who knows what’s going on, it’s her.
She’ll have gotten the information on this meeting, and Dagen would have told her his reasoning.
Of everyone in this building, Cynthia is the only other one with as high of security clearance as Dagen.
The woman might as well be a secret agent.
I stand there for what feels like an hour, but can only be five minutes. My feet are starting to pinch in my stilettos until I shift my weight, making the other side ache just the same.
The intercom buzzes and Cynthia looks up at me. “You’re on, girl. Go get ‘em.”
I nod, take a deep breath, and step toward the solid wood doors.