Chapter 44

My heart sank in my chest when I first heard the name of the person who was currently waiting on the other end of that phone line.

Rudolf Lawerence. Monica’s brother?

Why on earth would he want to dissolve his contract with Crescent Moon?

An ugly feeling began to stir in the back of my mind, causing my stomach to churn. Something was telling me that Monica was behind this...

My first, initial thought was to leave James’ office so he could take the call with Mr. Lawrence. But just as I was about to turn and leave, James snaked an arm around my waist and held me in place.

“Put the call through,” he told Daniel stiffly.

Daniel and I watched James hit a button on the panel that placed the call on speaker so that we could all hear it. My nerves jumped and coiled with anxiety.

Arc Moon just so happened to be one of Crescent Moon’s number-one suppliers. Their business alliance made up a significantly large portion of the company’s current foundation. From what I read on the company’s background, a lot of James’ clients were because of his partnership with Arc Moon.

I didn’t even want to think about the massive devastation that would come from a possible severed partnership.

I didn’t know Rudolf Lawerence personally. Luckily for me, I’ve only had the unfortunate pleasure of having to deal with his sister. But, something told me that the man was going to be just as unpleasant as Monica.

My suspicions were proved correct when a self-absorbed, arrogant tone started to come through the speaker. It sent an overwhelmingly nauseating feeling to course through me.

“What is it, Lawrence?” James questioned firmly.

“It’s been made rather clear that Crescent Moon is incapable of making wise decisions when it comes to the potential business alliances,” Rudolf chided.

I lifted my hand to press my head and grimaced. Goddamnit.

I knew right then and there what this whole issue was about. This was because James had decided to cut ties with Monica and any business she may have brought with her when she visited the company all those weeks ago.

When I first heard that it was because of Rudolf that Monica got the opportunity, I should have known that there were bound to be consequences for refusing to work with her.

I glanced up at James who appeared utterly confused. I gently nudged him and spoke softly under my breath.

“...Monica,” I whispered. “You refused to work with her.”

All the bewilderment left James’ features and was swiftly replaced with a look of pure seething anger. He snapped his attention back toward Rudolf and growled.

“If this is about me not signing on with your sister, I’ll have you know that it was a decision that I did not make light of. Apart from acting completely unprofessional, Monica has proven herself to be harshly prejudiced against those among my staff. I don’t make business relations with those that are incapable of something as basic as human decency,” James explained. His knuckles were turning white from out tightly he curled his fists at his sides.

My jaw went slack as Daniel and I shared a similar look of disbelief on our faces. Holy shit.

“You son of a bitch,” Rudolf snarled.

‘No. No. No. NO!’ I shouted to myself.

I was filled with panic. Although James would argue that it would be no great loss to cut ties with Rudolf’s company, Crescent Moon did not deserve to suffer such a horrific loss because of something so immaterial and pointless.

Lawrence proceeded to go on and on about how dysfunctional James was and how unethical his methods were when it came to running the company. With a voice like his, it would surely cause other companies to turn away should word get out.

I couldn’t take it anymore. My heart was pounding and I felt my knees buckle from beneath me. I didn’t know what possessed me to speak out so harshly...But I did.

“Mr. Lawrence, wait! If this whole issue is based purely on what went on with Miss Lawrence all those weeks ago, then I’m the one you should be speaking to,” I stated.

I could just imagine the cold, unfeeling sneer on his face.

“And just who the hell are you?” he asked tightly.

“My name is Mia. I’m Mr. Derek’s secretary.”

James grabbed for my arm. “What are you doing?” he hissed.

I laid a gentle hand over his as I listened to Rudolf.

“Ah, Mia...I’ve heard quite a bit about you,” he slithered.

My insides twisted and curved at the thought of someone speaking to him about me. Nevertheless, I needed to press on before the man decided to lose interest in speaking to me.

“Instead of making any rash decision over the phone, why not set up a meeting where everything can be discussed in person?” I suggested firmly.

A long pause passed. Honestly, I completely anticipated for the man to hang up the phone, or laugh his head off at the very least.

However, Rudolf hummed with interest at the idea that I previously presented.

“Why not,” he said with amusement. “I’ll make the trip to Crescent Moon—tomorrow. Late morning.”

He ended the call, thus allowing me to finally take my first breath of relief. James, on the other hand, was deeply furious.

“Alright.” He spoke dangerously low in his chest. “Care to tell me just what the hell that was all about?”

I took a small step back to glance at both James and Daniel. “James, just hear me out. I know it’s not my place to make any sort of decisions for this company,” I said. “But we can’t risk losing Arc Moon when you know how valuable they are.”

He narrowed his eyes in disinterest. “I can find another supplier—”

“I have no doubt,” I affirmed. “But what about the other contracts that are assured through Rudolf’s company? We all know that if he pulls out, then the rest will surely follow.”

Something in James’ furious demeanor started to relax, having heard my explanation. He raised an approving brow and started to smirk.

“Perhaps I ought to find a better position for you. You’re proving to be far too advanced for a mere secretary role.”

I rolled my eyes and gave him a playful smile.