Chapter 31
THE CEO
DANTE
Three Days Later
I’d never had to escalate my threats with anyone past the first or second mention.
If I ever said “respond by this time,” the answer came hours early. If I demanded an emergency meeting, they beat me to the office and would usually have catering waiting for me.
Yet, Chloe didn’t seem to get that memo.
She’d seemingly forgotten who the hell I was or what I was capable of…
You have until 4 p.m. to walk through my office doors with the work I emailed you last night…
I sighed as Sarah walked into my office.
“Good morning, Mr. Hudson.”
“Morning,” I said. “Quick question…How many times would you call someone in hopes of getting them to answer?”
“Uh…” She set down my breakfast. “Maybe two or three.”
“That’s it?”
“I would probably leave a voicemail after the third time and just wait.”
“Wait for what?”
“For them to get back to me, sir…”
“What if you know they’re ignoring you?”
“I would stop calling.”
“What about text messages?” I leaned forward. “How many would you send before you stopped?”
“Four at most.”
“I’ve sent forty this morning alone…”
“Forty?” Her eyes widened. “Or fourteen?”
“Whichever one sounds better.” I paused. “I’m not the begging type, but this woman is seriously pushing it.”
“Miss Sterling?”
“Yes—no.”
“Okay, fine.” She shook her head. “I think I should take your personal phone away for a while. You can keep the other two, though.”
“After I send her a few more messages,” I said. “Chloe has a tendency to be overdramatic. I’m sure she’s sent me something by now anyway.”
I swiped to my inbox and saw her name at the top, but there was still nothing.
Not even a read receipt.
I tapped the screen, ready to send her another text, but Sarah snatched the phone from my hand.
“You’ll thank me later for this. Trust me.”
“Give me my goddamn phone back,” I said. “Now.”
“You have a meeting with the interior design team in an hour,” she said. “I’ll be back with your lunch when it’s time.”
“They can’t design anything until the lobby is rebuilt.” I held out my hand for the phone. “Reschedule it for tomorrow or else.”
“Or else what?”
“I’ll have you replaced within the hour.”
“I’d like to see you try.” She slammed my door shut without looking back.