Total pages in book: 60
Estimated words: 61939 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 310(@200wpm)___ 248(@250wpm)___ 206(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 61939 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 310(@200wpm)___ 248(@250wpm)___ 206(@300wpm)
“Businesses—even the ones that are based on fun ideas and vibes—are ultimately about making money,” I said. “Every single one of them. You can’t pay your staff in merch and free coffee, because last time I checked, they can’t pay their bills with that…”
Her face paled.
“So, next time you call yourself wanting to hire someone to help you run a ‘business,’ make sure that you know exactly what that word means.”
I left the store and pulled out my phone, wanting to call Harrison and tell him all about this—to ask if maybe I was a little too harsh, but I held back.
I texted the notes and questions to myself instead.
FORTY-NINE
HARRISON
Several Days Later
Andrea must have a new number…
I’d run out of unique ways to get through to her, and I desperately wanted to tell her that I wasn’t going public or laying anyone off, but it was futile so far.
Security Chief
No sight of Miss Stone this week, sir.
Still?
We think she may be staying in a new residence.
Keep looking.
“Mr. Cross?” Heather knocked on my door. “Mr. Cross?”
“Yes?”
“Your favorite lawyer is here to see you.”
“Send him in, please.”
Seconds later, Damien Carter strolled into my office. He took one long look at me and shut the door before joining me at the desk.
“You look terrible,” he said. “Were you in a car accident lately?”
“No.” I groaned. “But it feels like it, which is why I called you about this very important situation.”
“I’m listening.”
“I need to sue my CFO.”
“The one you just publicly promoted weeks ago?”
“The very same.”
“Okay.” He crossed his arms. “For what?”
“She’s causing me severe emotional distress.”
“Come again?”
“I’m not functioning at my highest potential, and it’s all her fault,” I said. “I can’t even think straight because she’s refusing to talk to me.”
“Harrison,” he said, sighing. “Don’t take this personally, but it sounds like you should’ve called your therapist instead of your lawyer.”
“I called who I wanted to call, Damien.” I sat up in my chair. “Just like all the other lawsuits, this is about the principle—except it’s on my end this time.”
He stared at me blankly.
“I’d like to sue Andrea Stone, and instead of questioning my decision, you need to start drawing up paperwork.”
“You’d be suing yourself, Harrison.” He rolled his eyes. “You still own one hundred percent of the company, according to the partnership agreement I drew up for you. Remember?”
I said nothing.
“Remember?” He narrowed his eyes. “You did make her sign the non-partnership CFO clause when you promoted her, correct?”
“I might’ve overlooked that part.”
“In that case, I should sue you for utter incompetence.” He glared at me. “How do you forget to protect a near-billion-dollar company from someone who didn’t help you purchase it?”
I didn’t answer him, and he rubbed his temple.
“You weren’t planning on her ever leaving, were you?” he asked.
“Let’s stick to the ‘suing’ conversation.” I tried to change the subject. “Or maybe making her a hostile witness.”
“Please stop using legal terms you don’t understand.” He stood up.
“Look,” he said. “I’m going to be nice and offer one of my side services to you, and then you’re going to promise to never call me for this type of nonsense again.”
“If you don’t help me do what I tell you to do—” I paused. “I’m firing you and your firm as representation.”
“Give me two hours, and I’ll tell you exactly where she’ll be tomorrow, and you can try to talk to her like a normal lovesick boyfriend.”
“I never said we were in a relationship.”
“You didn’t have to.”
I didn’t waste my time denying it.
“My security hasn’t been able to find her at all,” I said. “What makes you think you can?”
“Because I’m the best at what I do.” He pulled a check from his pocket and scribbled on it before sliding it to me. “Once I call you with the address, you can wire that amount to me as a bonus.”
“You want two hundred and fifty thousand for this simple task?”
“Take it or leave it.” He started to pick up the check, but I snatched it away.
“You’ll have the information in two hours?”
“Guaranteed.” He smiled. “Oh, and I still expect to be paid for my usual emergency appearance fee, on top of a small courtesy fee for having to listen to something emotional, as well as a fee for—”
“Get the hell out of my office, Damien.”
FIFTY
ANDREA
Meet Harrison Cross’s New Executive Assistant: It’s a Team of Five & a Robot
Harrison Cross Spotted Waiting in Line at Café After Hours
Rumor Mill: Sweet Seasons Is Still Chatting with Investors, IPO Announcement Seems Imminent
Ifailed to stop googling Harrison for the umpteenth day in a row, and I deeply regretted it.
Putting my phone away, I paced backstage at Lily’s Ice Cream headquarters and tried to focus on my public interview ahead.
The glow of stage lights bled through the velvet curtains, and the faint hum of conversation from the theater beyond made my stomach twist.