Chapter Eight

ADAM

Save for Sabrina’s sideways glances and the lack of both wine and sexual tension, the meeting this afternoon very closely resembles the one we’d had with Drake Mitchell the night I first took Isabella.

When the handshakes are out of the way and the rest of the room begins dispersing, I turn to find them both gathering their things in awkward silence.

“Before you leave for lunch I’d like a word with you both,” I say, pulling their eyes to mine as I gesture for them to resume their seats. “Mrs. Michaels, were you able to locate the report I asked for?”

“Not yet, sir,” she shakes her head. “It’s in my office. I should be able to get it to you within the hour.”

“Understood,” I nod, glancing down at the very report in question, one she’d turned in only a few days earlier. “Miss Baxter, are you familiar with the Horizon Brokers account?”

“Yes, Sir.”

“Do you remember what the increase was as well as the yield?”

“At last glance, we were up nine percent with a yield of fourteen,” she says easily. “I expect it will continue to build stamina through tomorrow morning.”

“That’s exactly right,” I offer, gesturing for the book she’s holding. “Is that the agenda you keep for Mrs. Michaels?”

“Yes, Sir,” she nods.

“May I see it, please?” She hands it to me immediately and as I thumb through the pages, I can feel the tension building from across the table. “Sabrina, you’ve been with the company for quite a while, haven’t you?”

“Close to ten years, Mr. Avery.”

“Hmm…” I sigh, glancing down at the work Isabella had put into this book alone before I hand it back to her, facing them both. “Alright, I’m going to make this very quick and painless on both of you. I’ve been reviewing your work and seen some inconsistencies on both ends. Despite the fact we were able to obtain this account, I’m not pleased,” I admit, watching them both swallow hard. “Miss Baxter, this morning I asked you about a variety of projects and after less than half the time Mrs. Michaels has been in Avery’s employ, you were able to give me in-depth information regarding each client I asked you about. Can you tell me the singular commonality between these accounts?”

She looks up at me, biting her lip in thought before finally giving me a subtle shake of her head.

“I’m sorry, Sir, but unless you’re referring to their success rate, I’m not sure.”

“True, but there’s another slightly more concerning issue which is that each account we discussed had your supervisors name on it,” I say, glancing toward Sabrina as I lift the thick stack of papers. “And I would bet a large chunk of my fortune, Mrs. Michaels, that you’d be unable to recall the majority of what I’m holding in my hand right now.” I drop the stack onto the table, the heavy thud making them both jump. “Your lack of preparation and complacence in your position here could have very well lost the company a vital account. Fortunately, Miss Baxter, your assistant, was here to save our asses,” I continue, glancing down at the stack of reports. “For the umpteenth time if this is any indication of your history here.”

“Mr. Avery, I…”

“My uncle thought very highly of you before having to step down. It’s because of that and that alone you’re being given the courtesy of me personally warning you of the very thin ice you’re currently skating on, Mrs. Michaels. For the time being, I’ll be overseeing your department myself until I can be assured all our bases are covered appropriately,” I cut her off, moving my gaze to Isabella’s finding her blue eyes wide in silent shock. “As for you, Miss Baxter, I’m very pleased with the initiative you’ve taken. If you can continue to work as diligently as you have been and don’t find yourself acquiring the same complacence as Mrs. Michaels, you’ll have a prosperous future here. That being said, while I’m very impressed with the level of professionalism you’ve brought forth up until now, part of your responsibilities as one of my corporate level employees is to notify the board of any discrepancies in spending and performance. If you weren’t comfortable coming to one of us, you should have spoken with HR regarding Mrs. Michaels’ lack of work ethic. The fact that you failed to do so is unacceptable and won’t be tolerated again. Am I understood?”

“Yes, Sir,” she says meekly as she gives me a subtle nod. “It won’t happen again.”

“That question was for both of you,” I insist, staring back at Sabrina.

She squares her shoulders, clearing her throat before finally giving me a curt nod. “Understood.”

“Very well,” I reply, my tone clipped as I turn to leave them.

I’m nearly to the door when Sabrina’s voice slows my steps.

“Pardon my boldness, Mr. Avery, but my ethics are the last thing that should be in question here,” Sabrina says, her voice shaky despite her blunt words. “I’ve been very good to this company.”

“And this company has been exceedingly good to you,” I insist immediately. “We’ve seen you through multiple leaves, both medical and personal. We’ve awarded your daughter with a scholarship that helped her go on and earn a teaching degree and you’ve repaid those generosities by half-assing your job for the past four years,” I counter. “Now, if you’d like to continue this discussion while you clear out your office, you’re more than welcome to do so. Otherwise, we’re done here,” I say sharply before returning my gaze to Isabella. “Before you leave, come to my office. I have an assignment I need to discuss with you.”

I move to walk away, but a huff from Bella’s right pulls my eyes back.

“I’m sure that’s not all you’ll be discussing,” Sabrina mutters, making Isabella’s cheeks flare. She has no idea I’m still listening and the harsh pitch in her tone makes that clear. “Congratulations. I think it’s obvious you’ve really outdone yours-”

“What’s that, Mrs. Michaels?”

“Nothing, sir,” she shakes her head, diverting her eyes from mine.

“Are you sure?” I offer, raising my eyebrow in challenge.

“Yes…”

“If you need a week or two away from the office to reflect on a few things while Miss Baxter takes control of your accounts, that can certainly be arranged,” I threaten. “If you’re to be believed, she’s one good private meeting away from stealing your job anyway, so I’m sure she won’t mind the pay increase.”

“Mr. Avery, I can assure you I didn’t-”

“Know I was listening?” I cut her off once more. “Perhaps if you spent more time completing your own reports and less time conjuring up excuses for why you’re currently sitting on the top of my shit list, you wouldn’t have landed there in the first place, Mrs. Michaels.”

“I’m sorry, I-”

“Are you apologizing to me or to the woman you just tried to discredit and insult in the middle of my conference room?”

“Both of you.”

“Duly noted,” I nod, tapping the table. “Should you change your mind about that time off, my door is always open.”

She swallows hard, glancing between me and Isabella for a moment before finally clearing her throat and squaring her shoulders.

“That won’t be necessary,” she says quietly. “Thank you.”

“Very well. Enjoy your lunch,” I smile before moving toward the door. “Isabella? My office in ten, please.”