Chapter 1 #3
Ethan doesn’t respond immediately, walking to his chair and sitting down with the fluid grace of someone completely comfortable in positions of power.
Leaning back, he rests his chin on his fist and watches me with that same intense gaze that had once used to make my heart flutter like a trapped bird.
“Is it any of your business?” he asks coolly, but there’s a challenge in his voice.
“As the current head of HR, yes,” I retort, matching his tone.
“Ah, yes.” Ethan reaches for a paper from those scattered on his desk, and I notice his movements are deliberately slow, like he’s enjoying this. “I have your resume right here. Three years at Thalvyn Maritime. That’s impressive for someone so young.”
My stomach knots like a sailor’s rope. “Why do you have my updated resume?”
Ethan arches his brows, and there’s definitely amusement dancing in his amber eyes now. “You were kind enough to send one to Tech Invert Solutions this morning. It’s one of my companies. I assume you didn’t know.”
“Clearly. Or I wouldn’t have wasted that email,” I say tersely, feeling heat climb up my neck. “Don’t worry. I’ll rescind my resume from there immediately.”
I hold out my hand for it, but Ethan clicks his tongue in that patronizing way that makes me want to throw something heavy at his head. “What I want to know is why you’re sending out resumes in the first place. Are you thinking of changing jobs, Natalie?”
“It’s Miss Thorne, if you don’t mind,” I reply coldly, emphasizing each word.
“Miss Thorne.” Ethan’s eyes darken as he mulls over the name, like he’s tasting it. “I prefer Natalie. It suits you better.”
“I prefer not to be on a first-name basis with you, Mr. Wilder.”
“And that is still not an answer to my question.” Ethan’s tone becomes hard, demanding. “Are you applying for other jobs?”
“Yes.” I don’t elaborate, enjoying the way his jaw ticks.
“Why? ”
Why does he sound so displeased?
“I know how acquisitions work,” I say coolly, crossing my arms. “Leaving a job in search of new opportunities looks better on a resume than being let go because of downsizing.”
Ethan studies me. “What makes you think I’m going to fire you?”
I meet his gaze squarely, refusing to back down. “Even if you weren’t, given our history, I don’t wish to work with you. I prefer a calm working environment.”
“Given our history?” The corner of his lips curls up, and there’s a flicker of heat in his eyes that makes my breath catch. “And what history would that be?”
“A stain on my past,” I reply flatly, each word carefully chosen to wound. “One I don’t care to be reminded of. You will have my resignation by the end of the day.”
I put the two files I had compiled for him on his desk with more force than necessary. “These are the lists of the actual incompetent employees. The files contain every bit of information on them, including their performance reviews and disciplinary actions. You can come to your own conclusions.”
Turning around, I begin walking towards the door. My hand has barely grasped the door handle when Ethan’s voice stops me in my tracks, low and commanding.
“Hold it right there.”
I want nothing more than to just walk out of this room, to put as much distance between us as possible, but the tone of his voice has me pausing against my better judgment.
Looking over my shoulder, I ask icily, “Is there anything else?”
Ethan gets to his feet, picking up a sheaf of papers before walking over to me with slow, deliberate steps. “Yes. The small matter of a contract you signed three months ago.”
I go still, every muscle in my body freezing as realization crashes over me like a cold wave .
How could I forget that contract?
When Braxton had presented it to me in place of my renewal contract, I had been surprised by the generous terms. It had guaranteed a massive increase in my salary in exchange for me continuing to work here for four more years.
The only downside was that if I were to breach the contract and leave, with or without a notice period, I would have to pay the company an exorbitant sum that would bankrupt me.
At that time, I had been desperate for money, so I signed it quickly.
Besides, I hadn’t had any intentions of leaving this job.
How was I to know that this contract would come back to bite me in the ass?
My back is still to Ethan, and I can feel the heat from his body as he comes to stand directly behind me, close enough that I can smell his cologne.
He dangles the contract in front of me, and I snatch it from him, trying to ignore the way my hands shake as I go over the papers.
“This was signed when Braxton Thompson was CEO. It can’t apply now?—”
“I’m afraid it does.” I hear the smirk in Ethan’s voice, and I turn around, coming face-to-face with him.
My mouth goes dry when I realize how close we are—there’s barely an inch of space between us, and my back is pressed against the door.
There’s nowhere to move. I’ve been effectively cornered, both contract-wise and physically.
“I signed that contract in good faith?—”
“You signed that contract with the company.” Ethan’s smile is smug and taunting, the same expression he used to wear when he knew he’d won an argument.
“The company is a legal entity. The acquisition changes nothing about existing contracts. We are not changing the name of the company. We are not changing the operations of the company. Therefore, the contract is still in force.”
I narrow my eyes at him, trying to ignore the way his proximity is affecting me. “Why are you so well-informed about my contract?”
“As the CEO, it’s my job to be informed of every contract that could impact my business.
” His voice is smooth as silk, but there’s steel underneath.
“You’re welcome to look over the contract if you think you’ll be able to find a loophole to get yourself out of it.
But I can tell you now that it’ll be useless.
I’ve studied the contract in great detail. ”
My jaw clenches so hard I’m surprised my teeth don’t crack, and he shrugs, giving me a half-smile that makes me feel uneasy. “Of course, you’re welcome to break the contract. That is, if you can afford to pay the amount that comes along with it.”
When I don’t say anything for a few seconds, his smile broadens like he knows exactly what I’m thinking. “I look forward to working with you, Natalie.”
When he holds his hand out for the contract, I lower my hand, still clutching it like a lifeline. “I’ll send this back to you once I’ve gone over it with my lawyer.”
His eyes dance with amusement that makes me want to slap him. “Is that all?”
“Yes.” He steps back finally, giving me room to breathe, and before I can reach for the door handle, he’s already opening the door for me with exaggerated courtesy.
Holding on to the last shred of my dignity, I walk out, and as I do, I hear him say softly, his voice carrying just enough warmth to make my heart stutter.
“It was good seeing you again.”
A strangled sound escapes my throat as I storm out of his office, my composure finally cracking at the edges.
Clarice looks up from her laptop as I walk past her, probably taking note of my flushed face. Once I near the elevator, I hear her call out to me.
“Miss Thorne!”
Stopping in my tracks, I pause and turn back. “Yes?” My voice is tense, and she gives me a wary look, like she’s dealing with a live grenade.
“I was told that you had just taken your vacation days. Mr. Wilder instructed me to tell you that all vacation days are to be put off unless it’s a family emergency.
Everyone, including you, will be fairly compensated for the inconvenience.
Your flights will also be covered by the firm. You were in Hawaii, yes?”
I nod slowly, still trying to process everything that just happened.
She smiles at me, and it’s genuinely warm. “Please send me the list of your expenses incurred, and it will be adjusted in this month’s salary.”
“Okay,” I murmur, still reeling from the earlier shock.
Before I can leave, something occurs to me, and I hesitate. “Miss Jameson?”
I turn to face her, and she smiles at me. “You can call me Clarice.”
I let out the breath I didn’t know I had been holding. “Natalie, then. When did this acquisition take place? I mean, when did it go into the works?”
She hesitates for just a moment. “Three months ago.”
“When were the company contracts reviewed by your company?”
“Three months ago.”
“So all the contracts issued by Thalvyn from three months ago were drafted through your company then?”
“Yes.”
My hand clenches around the contract in my hand until my knuckles turn white. “I see. Thank you.”
I don’t know how I get back to my office, but my head is spinning like I’ve been drinking champagne on an empty stomach. Layla jumps up from her seat when she sees me enter, her eyes wide with concern.
“Miss Thorne? ”
“Get me a cup of coffee and a painkiller,” I say, my voice hoarse. “Then leave me alone for a while.”
My assistant casts a nervous look my way before hurrying off like her life depends on it.
Closing the door to my office, I don’t even make it to the chair, sinking heavily into the two-seater by the entrance.
With trembling hands, I run my eyes over the contract again, hoping against hope that the words will have magically changed.
When I read it the first time months ago, I had been anxious about the terms. I could tell how carefully the contract had been crafted, every clause designed to trap me.
It had been airtight then, and it’s going to be airtight now.
The contract isn’t going to change, no matter how many times I reread it.
But I had been so desperate for the money.
I let out a shuddering breath before setting it aside and burying my face in my hands, feeling the weight of five years crashing down on me.
If it hadn’t been for the debts?—
“Damn it!” I curse loudly, throwing the papers across the room and watching them scatter like my carefully laid plans, feeling like I’m suffocating in this office that suddenly feels too small.
Sinking my head in my hands once again, I try to calm down, but my heart is racing like I’ve just run a marathon.
Five years. Five years of rebuilding my life… It’s like the universe decided to spit on my face and laugh while doing it.
I lost everything because of this man. And now he’s back, as if to remind me of my biggest mistake, wearing a perfectly tailored suit and the same devastating smile that once made me believe in fairy tales.
My hands shaking, I sink deeper into the couch.
What am I going to do now?