The next morning, he was in the office early, but Jude still beat him to it.

“About time you showed up. Have you seen the stock prices? I drew up the papers. We’re going to sue the b—”

“Put away the papers. We aren’t suing anyone.”

“Conor, you can’t be serious. If you let this Emily whatever-her-name-is get away with this type of stuff, you’re inviting every Tom, Dick and Harriet out there to have a go too. You have to make an example of her.”

Ignoring his lawyer, Conor buzzed Crystal to come into his office.

“Crystal, please come in and close the door behind you.”

He waited until Crystal was standing in front of him. “You have two adult sons, right?”

“You know I do, Conor.”

“Do either of them play Sunny Studio games? The recent one, for example?”

“Who cares whether Crystal’s sons play the game or not? What has that got to do with anything?”

 “Shut up, Jude. Well?”

“No, they don’t. If they did, I would smack them. They know better than to play that filth in my house.”

“Crystal. It’s a game,” Jude said dismissively. “Come on, Conor. You aren’t going to listen to a secretary, are you?”

Conor looked at Crystal, wondering how the woman remained impassive. If he were her, he would find it hard not to hit Jude. Did the man have any idea of how smug he was being?

“Jude, enough. I asked Crystal for her opinion. And I happen to share it. I tried playing our newest so-called game last night. I never saw such rubbish before in my life. I want it gone.”

Jude paled in front of him. “What do you mean ‘gone’? You can’t just remove it.”

“Why not?” Conor snapped. He didn’t like people challenging his decisions so dogmatically. He was open to argument and would admit when he was wrong, but he didn’t like being told what to do. Jude was crossing the line.

“Because people have bought it.”

“So, give them a refund. Stop the support on the game. Customers will complain and ask for their money back. Give it to them, no questions asked.”

Jude sat down, his facial expression a mixture of disbelief and dismay. “Have you any idea how much that would cost?”

“I don’t know. I don’t care. Get rid of it. It’s not only insulting to women, but to the majority of our paying customers. I want it gone, Jude. By the end of today.”

“That just isn’t possible. Conor, be reasonable. I know you’re upset. I’ll have a retraction from the foundation by the end of business today. Emily Williams will rue the day she was born.” The smug look was back on Jude’s face. Conor balled his fists, fighting the impulse to knock it off. He walked slowly over to Jude and, bending down so they were on the same level, said, “You listen to me. I pay your bills. I want that game gone. Leave Emily Williams and her foundation out of this. Now, can you do as you are asked, or do I need a new lawyer?”

He was so close he could almost see the sweat break out on Jude’s neck. Sure, the guy was rich, but a lot of his assets were backed by secured loans. He could get another job, but those offers may be withdrawn if word leaked that Conor Dunne had terminated his contract. He needed the job and they both knew it.

“Conor, how could you say that? We’ve worked together for years. I have made you a lot of money.”

“Yes, we have. And you’ve done very well out of it but this deal sucks. You know it, I know it. Heck, even Crystal knows it. I should never have touched Sunny Studios,” Conor growled, kneading the back of his own neck trying to release the tension.

“But it was such a bargain. You’ve already made over two million gross on the share price.” Jude looked at Crystal before looking back at Conor. It was clear his lawyer was completely mystified as to where the problem lay. Was he so conditioned to seeing dollar signs, he ignored everything else? Is that what people thought of him? Did they see Jude Ryan and think Conor Dunne was the same? He certainly hoped not.

Conor took a minute to calm down and walked back to his desk. Taking a seat, he stared at his computer screen.

“No doubt that figure will be revised downwards after today. Get onto it now, Jude.” He looked to where Crystal was patiently standing, waiting for him. He thought he saw an expression of approval in her eyes. Was he going soft? Since when did he care what people thought? In a more cordial tone, he addressed Crystal.

“Crystal, I want to call a company-wide meeting. I want every member of staff in here from those who fill the coffee machines right up to the top designers. Tomorrow morning. Nine a.m. sharp.”

“Yes, Mr. Dunne.”

Conor smiled, acknowledging Crystal’s use of his formal title. She was sending a message to Jude that Conor was the boss. Unfortunately, Jude seemed beyond capable of listening.

“Jude, make sure you are at the meeting tomorrow morning. I want an update on how things are progressing beforehand.”

“But I have—”

“Whatever it is, cancel it.” Conor looked him in the eye. “I mean it. I’ll see you tomorrow at eight a.m. with news I want to hear. Now get out.”

Jude left quietly until the door on the outer office slammed.

“Crystal, I am sorry you had to witness that.”

“I’m not. About time that stuffed shirt got a taste of his own medicine.”

Conor couldn’t stop himself from smiling.

“Anything else you want me to do, sir?’

“Crystal, are your sons gamers? I mean seriously?”

“If by serious you mean one of them requires surgery to get the game controller out of his hand, then yes.”

“Would he mind coming into the office to talk to me? I need a dummies guide to gaming. I am the dummy.”

“Sure thing. When do you want him to come in?”

“Now?”

Crystal laughed. “He’s at work at the moment, but I can check if he’s free this evening.”

“Thanks, Crystal. That would be great.”

“You really going to clean up this outfit?”

“Yes.”

“Good for you. About time someone did. Some of the images I see make me want to bleach my brain.”

Conor laughed as his secretary walked back to her own office. He should have reminded her to clear his schedule but, given how efficient she was, she had probably done that already.

He looked at the pile of papers on his desk. He had plenty to do but all he could think of was Emily. How was she doing? He picked up the phone to call her but then put it down again. He had to get his facts straight for tomorrow.

“Crystal, can you get me a—”

“On your email.”

“You didn’t even let me finish.”

“You want a list of current employees with their personnel files.”

“Yes, ma’am. While you’re reading minds, can you find out who is the best designer in the company?”

“That’s easy. The company favorite is John Mitchell, but the best is a young man by the name of Gary Hill. Sending his resume over to you now.”

“Crystal, how do you know all you do?”

“Usually I don’t tell my secrets but seeing as you asked, I like gaming, too.”

Conor nearly fell off his seat. His secretary was fifty if she was a day.

“You still there? Don’t you know by now appearances can be deceptive? Gary Hill was involved in the design of The Wizard’s Quest. It’s the number ten ranking game at the moment. Sunny Studios poached him from the company he’d been working at for five years. They promised him the moon. Well, not really, but he was supposed to be able to launch his own version of a similar game. Only…”

“Let me guess, he’s making the coffee?”

“Not quite that bad, but close.”

“Thanks for the files. Can you get Mr. Hill to come see me at three p.m.”

“Yes, sir. I will book Sarah Grafton in for four.”

“Who is she?”

“Your personnel manager. Well, technically she’s the assistant but she’ll know more about each member of your team than anyone else.”

“Crystal, what would I do without you? You deserve a bonus.”

“Not going to argue with you over that issue. Should I bring in your checkbook or would you prefer I call the bank manager and arrange a cash delivery?”

“Thanks, Crystal.” Conor was laughing as he hung up. Crystal had been the secretary to the boss of the third company he took over. He had immediately seen her value. For one thing, she wasn’t afraid of him and would speak her mind. For another, she had an uncanny knack for reading his mind. And also, she knew everyone. She was worth every cent of her generous remuneration scheme and much more.