CHAPTER 134

Geneveive Tessa Robert

‘All right, everyone. I hope we packed everything?’ I yelled, glancing at the suitcases. Mom had called about an emergency at Hoplas. One of my high-paying clients was about to cancel a major contract with us because she had mistakenly sent a document that contained X-rated links of her kinks to the creative team. The creative head, who had always hated my client’s guts, had released the links to the media. 

It was crazy drama, and Mom had tried to manage it, but the client's lawyer had gotten a lawyer to sue us for invasion of privacy and sharing contents without her permission. I couldn’t last night because I kept thinking about how I had already reached the peak of my career and that creative head. What’s her name again? Mary just had to wake up and ruin everything.

I instructed Mom not to fire her until I returned. She was going to resolve everything by herself. How she did that, I didn’t care. She had ruined our vacation, and honestly, prison was the perfect way to deal with her—after she had cleared up the mess already.

James joined me in the car with the kids. ‘I can’t believe everything is over just because of Mary. Wasn’t she thinking about the consequences of her actions?’

She nodded. ‘She wasn’t thinking, obviously. I don’t understand how you will allow popularity and trending on the news channels to affect your judgement.’

He shrugged. ‘It’s alright. This isn’t the first public drama that has happened to us, and we have always survived. Your client won’t sue you, though. She’s just stirring up the whole place because she wants to trend too. It’s all for the media, so don’t panic.’

‘ I am not panicking, little brother. That’s why you noticed I haven’t sacked her yet.’ I faced the kids, putting on my seat belt. ‘Oh, they are fast asleep. I guess I should have listened to you and booked the afternoon flight.’

He looked at them, smiling. ‘We should have just left them with Vera and Murphy. They would have loved their company.’

Vera and Murphy had wanted to leave with us, but I insisted they stay behind and enjoy the rest of the vacation. It wasn’t their fault that one of my employees had decided to file a lawsuit against the company before Christmas.

Even though plans had changed and we weren't staying in France until next year, I still felt sad about leaving Vera. What if there was an emergency and Murphy couldn’t handle it? What if something goes wrong? No. I was overthinking it. Nothing would happen to Vera. 

I stared at the kids again. ‘Leaving them with Vera would only strain her. You know how they can be, and Murphy would get carried away trying to teach Nicholas how to play basketball. You know Momma is against us turning her grandchild into a sportsman.’

He giggled, ‘I know she’s against it, but Nico is a natural. He would do everything to just play soccer or any sport you throw at him. I think you shouldn’t listen to Momma. As for Vee, I am really sorry she’s going through this phase. I just thought leaving the kids with her would make her feel happy and not so lonely. You saw how her pressure reduced after the kids played more with her during the last few weeks, right?’

I nodded. ‘You’re right about Nico and Vera. I will think about Nico’s natural talent, and for Vera, let her just enjoy the vacation with her husband. They need it more than us, anyway.’

_

I hated the way everyone went silent as I walked into the hall where the meeting was between my client, her legal team, my legal team, and Mary. Mary had also brought her lawyer, and they engaged in a deep conversation. They didn’t stop until I stood near them and coughed.

The meeting began immediately, but I had trouble concentrating. Earlier today, I received a voicemail from Kyle informing me that he was returning to the United Kingdom this week. He couldn’t hold on any longer and would be waiting until I returned from France. He also called me ‘his only true love’

I was already in the United Kingdom, but he didn’t need to know that fact.

I didn’t reply, but unlike his other voicemails, I saved this one. I wondered why I thought about it now, in the middle of a meeting that could ruin or smear my reputation. I shouldn’t be thinking about him, but I was. One month and twenty days of not hearing from my ex-husband, who I was maybe falling in love with again, and he had called me his only true love.

Wasn’t that something?

‘I think we can settle on a fine, then. Who will be paying it?’ My client asked, looking at me.

I pushed thoughts of Kyle and smiled—maybe jail wasn’t the best way to deal with Mary for ruining my vacation. ‘Mary and her lawyer would figure out the payment, Miss Lana. Just name your price and conditions.’

Mary cried, ‘But, ma. I did it because of the company, not for myself. Please, I don't have the money to pay the fine.’

‘You should have thought about that before lying and still lying on Hoplas and breaking the code of ethics. Don’t forget you made me cut my vacation!’ I glared at her, hating myself for revealing the last part. ‘Please, can we proceed with the next item? I am sure we have places to go.’

Miss Lana nodded, contentment written all over her face. Her legal team and Mary’s lawyer agreed on a fine of eight million dollars. That was a lot of money, and my legal team tried to intervene, but it was futile. Miss Lana was adamant. We concluded the meeting and left on good terms, except for Mary, who resigned immediately.

My phone buzzed as I stepped out of the company. ‘I am here, Tessa. Please call me once you return home. I miss you and your kids.’

Oh my days!