Reba had worried that Jeffrey would make her life hard. But today, Jeffrey hadn’t spoken to her or even looked her way. He acted like she was just another face in the crowd at Primey Technologies.
Since he ignored her at work, there was no reason he’d make a scene at dinner.
“I’lle get you as soon as I have Samuel,”n said, not wanting to leave her by herself. “Just stall for time and don’t go
in yet.”
Just as Reba was about to say something, Elmer showed up. “Reba, why are you still out here?”
“It’s my friend calling,” Reba said, lifting her phone as an excuse. “It’s sort of urgent.”
“No matter how urgent, nothinges before your new job,” Elmer said with a polite but firm smile. “The executives will be here soon, and as the new hire, you wouldn’t want to keep them waiting.”
Reba tightened her grip around her phone. Back when she was with Jeffrey, he’d always bring her inst to thosepany dinners, and no one dared say a thing.
Back then, she never had to deal with office politics or please the right people. But now, as Elmer said, she was just an employee.
Getting fired wouldn’t be the worst, but if the higher–ups made her life miserable with petty tricks and constant trouble,
that would be a nightmare.
She dipped her head. “I’ll go in right away.”
Elmer nodded, giving her a gentle push to hurry up.
“It’s not like before. I should probably head in,” Reba said, not wanting to end up with more trouble than just Jeffrey down the line. “Just text me when <i>you </i>get here. If things get dicey, I’ll fake being sick, and you cane grab me.”
Worry crept inton’s voice.
Reba said briskly, “Alright, I’m hanging up.”
She put her phone away and walked toward the private room Elmer had mentioned. When she entered, only Elmer was inside. Noticing she seemed a bit uneasy, Elmer called her name, “Reba.”
“Mm,” Reba responded softly,
Elmer asked, his tone a little formal, “Are you close with Mr. Smith?”
Reba shook her head. “Not really.” She didn’t even know who Jason was before she joined thepany.
Elmer just nodded. “Alright.”
13:15 Fri<b>, </b><b>19 </b>Sept
6
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(20)
“Am I supposed to be on friendly terms with the big boss?” Reba caught the hint in Elmer’s tone. Normally, no one would expect a brand–new employee to be buddies with the top guy.
Elmer was just about to gloss over the question when the private room door opened. Thepany’s senior executives stepped in one after another, all in suits. Elmer led Reba to greet each of them as they entered.
“So this is the new employee, Reba?” one of the shareholders asked.
“Yes, Mr. Grant.” Elmer nodded and gently prompted Reba. “You should say hi to Mr. Grant, one of our shareholders.”
Reba managed a polite smile. “Hello, Mr. Grant.”
“No need to be so formal. Take your seat,” Charles said warmly, waving her over. “We’re d to have you as part of the
team.”
Elmer fell silent, his earlier suspicions about Reba flickering back as he studied her face.
Other star hires had attended these dinners, but the execs had always been formal, never this warm. Elmer wondered,
‘What’s up with Reba? Does she have a special connection to Mr. Smith?‘
“Hey, why are you sitting way over there? Come sit up here,” Charles called out, noticing Reba’s quiet spot. He pulled
the seat next to the head of the table for her. “You’re our star. You deserve the ce of honor.”
“No, really, I can’t,” Reba protested, but with so many insisting, she had no choice. Despite her reluctance, she was
quickly seated beside the big boss. The higher–ups‘ excessive courtesy was unmistakable.
Reba feltpletely out of ce. “I’m just a junior staff member. I really don’t think I should be sitting here.”
“Oh, don’t be so modest! This seat is just right for you,” they said warmly. “If you need anything, just tell us. We’ve got your
back.”
At this point, Reba had a pretty good idea what was up. There was only one reason why the shareholders at a bigpany would treat someone as ordinary as her with this much respect–Jeffrey.
She didn’t know what Jeffrey’d said to them, or maybe they’d just gotten the wrong idea somehow, but Reba was ny percent sure that her getting hired had been Jeffrey’s n all along.
Her hands tensed as she started to rise, determined to make it clear that she had nothing to do with Jeffrey. But just as she was about to speak up, the private room door opened again,
Jeffrey strode in wearing a light gray, tailor–made suit, one hand casually in his pocket. His wless skin and unreal good looks, along with long legs emphasized by sleek pants, filled the room.
The once spacious private room suddenly felt cramped. His presence was suffocating, radiating a chill that made everyone
tense up.
Trailing after him were Jason Smith, the real boss of Primey Technologies, and Jason’s secretary.
“Mr. Hanson, please, have a seat.” Everyone stood up with bright smiles, warmly weing him.
Reba stood, heart sinking. Elmer had promised Jeffrey wouldn’te, yet here he was, making a dramatic entrance
13:15 <b>Fri</b><b>, </b>19 Sept
beside Jason. She didn’t buy it for a second.
Once Jeffrey settled into his seat, everyone else scrambled to sit down as well.
Elmer called out to the waiter, and in no time, servers started bringing in one dish after another.
<b>3 </b>
“Mr. Hanson, let me toast you,” Charles said as he stood up, a big smile on his face. “With you at the helm, Primey Technologies‘ value is bound to double. On behalf of thepany, thank you.”
At his words, everyone else stood up as well, following his lead.
<b>38</b><b>% </b>
The atmosphere suddenly got lively, and as just a regr staffer, Reba knew she’d look seriously rude if she stayed seated. She wanted to use coffee or juice instead of alcohol, but the server had already topped up her wine ss.
Right now, she couldn’t very well make a scene and ask for something else. All she could do was suck it up, pick up her
ss, and toast just like everybody else.
Jeffrey’s eyes flickered over to the wine ss in Reba’s hand, lingering there for barely a second.
Charles, sitting on Reba’s other side, caught the look and leaned over to ask her, “Can you drink? If not, we can just
switch it to coffee.”
и
+20)
“Is that really okay?” Reba asked, genuinely surprised.
“Why not? It’s really no big deal,” Charles said easily, gging down the server to swap out her wine for coffee.
The other shareholders gave approving looks. Most staff were clueless, but the board knew Jeffrey’s condition: Jeffrey would only lead Primey Technologies if Reba was hired, without her knowing he was involved.
No one understood the reasoning, but to them it was obvious Reba had a special connection with Jeffrey. If she didn’t, there was no way he’d jump through so many hoops for her.
Jeffrey took in the whole scene. He simply set his own wine ss down, his tone sharp andmanding. “Seems there’s no need for wine tonight.”
AD