Chapter 23
“Ashley’s POV
“It’s crazy isn’t it?” Laura said sofily as we listened to the news, se sounded like anyone else would have, and I didn’t have any problem with that. She had no idea what was happening, and there was no reason for her either.
“It really is,” I muttered quietly, almost to myself and not her. The volume was up and I could hear the breakdown from the journalist about TechCorp, and what the authorities planned to do.
“Umm, you’re smiling ma’am.” She said softly, pointing awkwardly at the smile on my face, one that 1 hadn’t realized was there. I turned my eyes from the television and to her, the smile still playing on my lips.
“Is there a reason not to?” I asked her. She frowned slightly and looked at me with confusion boldly written on her face.
“It’s going to be very bad for them, they’ll lose everything” Shed with concern. I cleared my throat and pulled my chair backward.
“What company do you work for, Laura?” I asked her gently. She looked at the television awkwardly and then back at me.
“The Mira group.” She replied.
“Perfect, now it isn’t that we are terrible people, but this is an opportunity for us to rise. They were caught producing their products with harmful chemicals. I should be pleased and relieved that they aren’t going to harm people anymore, And also for the fact that we now have the market all to ourselves.”
“Oh.” She muttered under her breath like she didn’t understand what I just said. She was smart and I knew that she understood perfectly how these things worked, but I could also see things from her point of view.
“I know, it’s just that.. never mind. I think it’s a great opportunity for our company, I’m sorry for my meaningless question.” She apologized.
“It’s fine.” I said, waving her off before turning my attention back to the television. The week couldn’t have started any better and after all that happened last night, things were going exactly as I planned them to go.
“I better go finish arranging your schedule for our new branch, Laura said as she got up, picking up her iPad as she did. I nodded and listened as she walked towards the door, I turned my eyes to her and watched as she shut the door behind her.
She was smart, the smartest that I had ever worked with and I knew it right from her interview. She was also innocent, and what I didn’t want her to be, was weak. She wasn’t involved directly with the plans that I had, but she had her roles to play,
“What are you going to do now, Nolan?” I asked rhetorically, smiling as I listened to the further breakdown from the television panel.
Just then there was a knock on the door and Xavier walked in, he had a small smile on his face as he shut the door behind him and walked towards my desk.
“Sister.” He greeted me softly, I got up and leaned in and he placed a kiss on my cheek.
from
“It’s good to see you,” I said to him softly. He nodded, but then turned his head towards where the found was coming “It’s pretty pathetic. He said ushering his breath as he took his seat right where Laura was sitting a few moments ago. “Well, it’s only just begun.” I replied, removing the strand of hair from my face. I lifted my eyes up and saw that he was still looking at me instead of the television.
“Tell me, what do you know?” I asked, giving him a knowing smile. He chuckled softly and gestured towards the television.
Chapter 23
“You gave the tip?” He asked, even though he already knew the answer to that question. I nodded slowly and soon after, we both burst out laughing. We calmed down after a while and he crossed his legs and folded his arms.
“What?” I asked him. I knew the look on his face and that he definitely had something he wanted to tell me.
“I spoke with your sister.” He said gently. “Well, technically, she’ot related to us, but you two seemed to have had some sort of relationship, you explained that to me.”
“You called her?” I asked, wanting to know all the details. He shook his head and frowned a little.
“I am very prideful, Ashley. You know that.” He said, and he was almost sounding like he was scolding me.
“I think we can go over and beyond.” He added.
I observed him for a while, and then I folded my arms too. “I’m listening.”
He cleared his throat and smiled at me. “So far, everything is going according to plan.” He began. “I know we talked about this when we first got the info on their products and you probably are satisfied about how everything is going now. They’ve lost millions already and as much as you know Nolan, I know him as well. My best guess is that he is losing his mind right
now.”
I kept my eyes on him, waiting for him to finish because he clearly wasn’t done.
“I know that you might say that you aren’t satisfied, but I think you’re pretty chill, especially after this. He did terrible things to you, Ashley. And I think he’s going to come back, especially with the idea of taking Brian from you.”
What are you saying, Xavier?” I asked, already getting worked up and desperately wanting to know what his plans were.
“Zoe called me, she messed up. She’s the reason it all happened, the chemicals and all. She wants my help.”
“What for?”
“What else?, she wants to clean up The mess before Nolan completely loses his mind, that’s what. And before you ask. “If I’m going to help her, yes I will, or at least she’ll think that.”
“What are you saying. Xavier?” I asked him again, getting a bit confused.
“We’re going to buy their company, Ashley, and Zoe’s going to
