“Look food manager, we have real work to do. Run along and go play in the kitchen.” Darrin’s voice was smug and condescending. “IF you are so worried about her wellbeing, take care of her on your manager’s salary.”
Sheryl smiles at Darrin like he’s some kind of hero. Cayla could feel her blood pressure rising; she wanted to punch all of them in the face as well, but knew Dex was toying with them, giving them the opportunity to do the right thing. Dex alone was rich enough to wage a damaging war against them. At this rate, he was about to drop the hammer.
“I don’t know what is going on here exactly, but I must express my confusion. Craig, are you saying Cayla is a bad or incompetent employee?” Cayla felt warmed by Justin’s genuine confusion. He was the best supervisor she’d had.
“According to Craig, Cayla’s only been here this long because you thought she was pretty,” Felix informed him.
Justin balks at the accusation. “What? She is here because she’s one of the best.” He turned to the boss. “Look, Lester, if you fire these two, you will be losing your best analysts.”
“And you, too, if you’re condoning this blatant attempt to discredit my nephew.” Justin bristled at Lester’s callous words. He tried to reply but was cut off. “His reports are top-notch.”
“Like this one?” Felix yanked the paper out to Craig’s hand and slid it to Justin.
Justin shifted from glaring at Lester to reviewing the report. “Yes, this is excellent.”
“That is the exact same report Craig just yelled at Cayla for doing wrong when he called her an idiot,” Dex pointed out with his hand on his hips.
Justin eyeballed Craig. “Why is Cayla working on something I gave you to do? This is unacceptable. You report to me. I told you to do this work…”
Craig blanched and sputtered to come up with an excuse.
“Something tells me she’s been doing all of the top-notch work,” Felix said sardonically while looking at Lester.
“I’m giving you one last time to correct the issue, or there will be problems for all of you. Trust me, you don’t want these problems.”
“This is just hearsay. This woman is controlling these men to come in here and lie for her. Sheryl. Call security and get them and their trespassing friend off my property.”
“If you are going to use the family angle, I have a family, too,” Dex warned them curtly.
Cayla shook her head. This is why she’d never gone to Lester. He was worse than his nephew. Even with evidence, he was ready to toss her out on her ass just because something was said against his nephew.
The video chat chimed before Sheryl could call for security. All the men sat up straighter as they looked at the big screen waiting for their big meeting to connect. Cayla grinned when Andrew Sinclair’s gorgeous face came into view.
Chapter 23
Dex smiled when he saw his dad on the big screen. He could not have timed it better had he tried. He was sporting his bored business face with his reading glasses perched on his nose.
“Let’s make this quick, Lester, I have things to do.” Dex watched in amusement when Andrew’s eyes connected with his, moved on, then doubled back in surprise. “Dex? Is that you? What are you doing there?”
The whole room turned and looked at him. “Visiting.”
Andrew nodded. “You’re friends with Lester’s boy?”
Dex shook his head. “Not even close.”
Andrew leaned back in his chair. “I’m confused.”
Dex looked around the conference room. All the faces he encountered stared at him confused by his conversation. A smile crept up on his face. They didn’t get it.
“Hey, Dad, I know you’re busy, but I have a few questions for you...”
The collective gasp was music to Dex’s ears; he was never one to ride off his Dad’s power, but this was satisfying.
“Son, is it something you can ask me later?”
“I wish I could, Dad, but, I’m trying to determine how upset I should be right now.”
“Is that why you’re there? Something upset you?”