Chapter 25

The meeting with the board proceeded swiftly, and my eleven o’clock appointment was quick and precise. My moods stayed on high, almost making me dance along the hallways. I sat in my office with my assistant, quickly concluding on the presentation details for the Chinese investors’ final proposal. I had to bag that investment as it would double the company’s profits and expand our reach globally.

My assistant had been in this job position for only a year after I fired the previous one for sexual assault. She had learned the job quickly and had become one of the two favorite people in my work life. The other was Mark, who was missing from the earlier meeting, with no apology. I made a mental note to call him after work.

“By the way, Luce, what hotel would you recommend for a nice lunch?”

“Sir?” she asked me, turning back around to look at me. It was the first time that Luce and I spoke of matters not concerning the company, and I bet she was amused by my question.

“I have a friend v