Free Web NovelChapter 24: Chapter 24 Corporate Wolves
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The next morning, Jack summoned Elara to his office. Stress was etched across every line of his face.
"You were supposed to deliver that document yesterday afternoon. Where were you?" he demanded.
Elara shrugged, keeping her expression completely neutral.
"Hospital emergency. I sent Tyler instead and told him not to peek inside." She tilted her head. "Something wrong?"
Jack rubbed his temples, his anxiety so thick Elara could practically taste it in the air. This morning, he’d received legal papers from Zack threatening to sue their hotel.
"Look at this," he said, sliding the documents across his desk. "You’re the majority shareholder now. You need to handle him directly."
He leaned forward. "This could seriously damage our reputation. Guests will think we’re running some kind of amateur operation."
Elara couldn’t hide her satisfied smile.
"Uncle Jack, you’re running this hotel. Can’t you handle one crisis?" She paused for effect. "Maybe it’s time to bring in professional management?"
Jack looked ready to shift and tear her throat out, but he forced his wolf down, swallowing whatever snarl had been building. His hands trembled slightly with the effort of maintaining control.
Later that day, the Park Hotel Group issued a groveling public apology, and Jack arranged for Zack to visit.
Of course Zack would come. He was desperate to see Elara. freewebnσvel.cøm
Elara
I’d just finished a power nap during lunch when my assistant knocked.
Jack wanted to see me again.
But when I walked in, Jack wasn’t there. Zack was.
I turned to leave immediately, but his cold voice stopped me.
"Elara, walk out that door and I can have Park Hotel Group bankrupt by tomorrow."
His words carried the weight of serious money and connections. "You worked so hard for this HR Director position. Hate to be back on the job market so soon, wouldn’t you?"
I turned around slowly and sat across from him, keeping my cool. "Zack, what do you need? I’m just a director. Even if this hotel went under, I’d land on my feet."
I met his stare head-on. "Intimidation tactics won’t work on me."
Zack’s eyes narrowed, his voice dropping to that dangerous tone that used to make me melt. "Why didn’t you come see me yesterday?"
"So it was your elaborate trap after all," I said, pretending to be impressed. "Did you coordinate this whole thing with our general manager?"
Zack stood and moved closer, his alpha presence filling the small office. His cold fingers lifted my chin."Thanks to yesterday’s mess, Selina and I are rushing our mating ceremony."
He paused, studying my face. "Are you upset? Jealous?"
I slapped his hand away hard. "Zack, you have zero right to make me jealous. And keep your hands to yourself."
I looked him straight in the eye. "You’re about to get married, and I’m already married!"
This was the second time I’d thrown my marriage in his face.
"Still sticking to that story," he said, his voice getting softer. "Elara, I don’t believe a word that comes out of your mouth."
I stood up, completely done with this conversation. "Believe whatever you want. Fire me if you think you can. I’ve got work to do."
"Wait!" Zack called out. "Unblock my number."
I rolled my eyes so hard it probably looked painful. "Zack, exes should stay blocked and buried, don’t you think? That’s Dating 101."
I walked out without waiting for his response.
Jack was coming in carrying a steaming coffee mug as I brushed past him in the doorway. ƒrēewebnovel.com
"All done in there?" he asked.
I gave him a look that could freeze water.
He took a step back, suddenly looking guilty as hell, though I had no idea why.
--
Thirty minutes later, Tyler burst into my office.
"What happened, Deputy Director Tyler?" I asked sweetly.
Tyler jumped up like he’d been shot and marched into my office. "You set me up to take the blame, didn’t you?"
His voice carried across half the floor. "All so you could lock down your director position! Now Jack says I’m getting fired! Feel good about yourself now?"
I frowned slightly. "Jack wants to fire you?"
"Don’t play dumb!"
I got it immediately. Jack was planning to throw Tyler under the bus for last night’s mess.
"Go back to your desk," I said calmly. "No pink slip yet. You might keep your job."
While Tyler slunk back to his desk with his tail between his legs, I shot a quick text to Jack:
[Jack, Tyler doesn’t get fired. As majority shareholder, I’m protecting this employee.]
Tyler spent the entire afternoon at his desk like he was waiting for an execution that never came.
When I packed up to leave, I noticed he was still sitting there looking like a kicked dog.
"Pulling an all-nighter?" I asked with a raised eyebrow.
He practically launched himself out of his chair and followed me like a lost puppy. "Mrs. Wolfe, did you go to bat for me?"
"Yes. You’re not getting fired." I gave him a careful look. "Tyler, can we be on the same team from now on?"
"Yes, absolutely!" Relief was pouring off him in waves. "Thank you. I completely read you wrong."
I gave him a small, calculated smile as we got into the elevator.
I glanced casually at the security camera and dropped my voice.
"Tyler, starting tomorrow, I want you to reach out to headhunters. Start building a pipeline of new talent. This stays between us.Consider it your way of thanking me. We good?"
