Chapter seven

I walked out of the door and closed it. I took in a deep breath and knocked. I had to do this for my father and for the Greene legacy.

I knocked again, there was no response. Slowly, I pushed the door open and stepped inside.

Those dark eyes followed my every move.

He sat there, relaxed in his chair, the book he had been reading was now closed in front of him. His long dark hair brushed the nape of his neck, framing a perfectly sculpted face that looked like a Greek god. Even though he was seated, his height was quite obvious. This was without a doubt the most handsome man I had ever seen in real life.

When my dad talked about him, I’d imagined someone much older. I knew he was older than me, but not like this. Not a strand of white hair or any sign of aging.

“I gave you fifteen minutes, Mrs. Adams,” he said, his voice calm. “You’ve already used five to stare at me. You have ten minutes to state your business. Once my butler walks in, this meeting is over.”

I almost slapped myself. What was I even thinking? I deserved that.

But wait, ten minutes?

“Ten minutes?” I asked.

He didn’t move. Didn’t blink. He just stared at me. A look that made it clear he never repeated himself.

“Ten minutes?” I repeated. “I’ve been waiting out there for hours, and ten minutes is all I get?”

His gaze flicked briefly to his watch, then back to me. “You now have eight.”

Oh.

So that was how it was going to be.

Fine. Two could play this game.

I hadn't risked everything to come here and get ten minutes. The only way I'm leaving here without a proper meeting was if someone told me everything that happened since last week had been a sick prank.

I looked around. No extra chair.

He expected me to stand? This man might have gotten so used to being needed that he didn't even care to have the tiniest bit of courtesy. That wasn't my problem right now, though. A chair won't stop me. My dad is unconscious because of him, and I wasn't leaving until he heard my proposal.

I walked closer and leaned against the crystal table. “I’m not leaving this place until you give me a proper meeting.”

“And what makes you think this isn’t a proper meeting?” he asked smoothly.

“You want me to believe you let your clients or partners stand while you speak to them?”

“And who said there are no seats?"

I scoffed. Who does he think I am? An old woman with partial blindness?

"There are clearly no other seats."

"If you say so," he said. A bemused smile flashed across his face before he masked it.

I glanced around again, and then I saw it.

The chairs were glass. So transparent you’d miss them if you weren’t looking for them. And I hadn’t been.

Heat rushed to my face as I quietly sat down and placed my purse on the table.

“You have five minutes left,” he said. “And take your personal belongings off the table.”

I removed my purse immediately. As I did, some kind of automated wipe slid across the surface, cleaning the exact spot where it had been.

Okay. That was a little unsettling.

“I’m here on behalf of my father,” I said quickly. “He’s currently unconscious."

"Noted."

I held a tight fist to keep my temper in check.

“He was supposed to have this meeting with you," I said stiffly. “I know you intend to pull out of the partnership with him. I’m here to ask you not to.”

“Why shouldn’t I?” he asked.

“Because, because -"

“Your father is about to retire,” he cut in. “And your husband is not someone I’m willing to do business with.”

“My dad isn’t handing the company to Adam,” I snapped. “He’s handing it to me.”

A pause.

“Congratulations,” he said flatly. “Your fifteen minutes are up. I have another meeting in five.”

As if on cue, the butler walked in.

But I didn’t move.

“You are not going to dismiss me like I’m just a fly,” I said, rising to my feet.

His brow lifted slightly.

“I woke up by five this morning. I spent hours getting here. I got cheated out of five hundred dollars by a cab driver. I waited outside for hours. I even sat on a rock." My voice cracked slightly. “A rock. And you think you can just swat me away like I’m nothing?”

Silence filled the room.

“I’m not leaving until you listen to me. The only way I'd leave is if you drag me out by my hair."

He exhaled slowly and closed his eyes for a brief second before opening them again.

“Excuse us for a moment, Bernard.”

The butler nodded and stepped out.

“What do you want?” he asked.

I swallowed.

“I want you to give Greene Empire a chance under me,” I said. “I know you might be thinking I'm too young for this, but please give me just one chance."

My voice steadied.

“I will prove to you that I can run that company, and make twice the profit my father ever did.”

"Aren't you biting more than you can chew with that statement?"

"I'm telling you what I believe I can do."

"This isn't a hobby business, young lady. It involves lots of dirty work, sleepless nights, meetings and hard work."

"I know, I know what it's going to be like and I'm going to do it. I just need you to give me a chance."

"Tell you what, find a business you can handle and send me the details. I'll fund it. Now if you'll excuse me, I've got things to do Mrs. Adams."

The name felt like a stab.

"I don't want any other business you think I can handle. I'm going to continue my father's legacy. All I want you to do is not pull out! Give me a chance. You can pull out if it doesn't work."

"You mean after I've incurred losses?"

"Please. Here's my proposal." I placed the document on his desk.

He stared at me for a while before finally picking it up.

"Someone will look into it. You'll be contacted if it's worth my time"

"My phone number is on the document. You can also call my dad's line if you don't want to call mine."

He didn't say another word. He just looked at me with an expression that made it clear he couldn't wait to see me leave.