A Reluctant Enterprise by Gun Brooke

Author:Gun Brooke [Brooke, Gun]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781626395015
Publisher: Bold Strokes Books
Published: 2016-04-24T04:00:00+00:00

*

Manhattan, 2006

“Have they lost their minds over there?” Daniel Thorn’s voice boomed over the phone, making him sound as if he were in the next room rather than across the ocean. “How they can even contemplate making you CEO is beyond me. I won’t allow it.”

“I don’t think it’s up to you, Father.” As a child Sylvie had called her father daddy, but that was a long time ago. Now, at age thirty-one, she stuck to the more formal way of addressing him. He probably didn’t care one way or the other. “The board of directors has voted.”

“That spineless Harry Stone. I’ll fire him the first chance I get.” Clearly seething now, Daniel growled. “If I didn’t know better, I’d think you’d slept with the lot of them.”

“Father!”

“Daniel!”

This was when Sylvie and her father realized Camilla was on another phone, listening in. Sylvie was grateful because, if anyone had any pull with Daniel, it was his wife. She’d grown increasingly less impressed with her husband’s methods over the years.

“Camilla, I—”

“If I hear you talk to our daughter like that one more time, you won’t know what hit you,” Camilla said, her voice filled with icicles. “What a foul thing to say to her, to anyone. You’ll be lucky if she ever forgives you for that one.”

“But, Camilla, they’ve made her—”

“I heard. I heard everything.” Camilla dismissed him with ease. “Congratulations, darling. That’s a tremendous achievement, and I think you’re going to do the Thorn name proud. Perhaps even rectify some of the reputation your father has bestowed upon it by being less cordial.”

“Thanks, Mom.” To hear this from her mother didn’t erase the hurt her father caused, but it was still nice. “Father, I’ll talk to you as soon as I’ve reviewed all the reports my department managers are putting together.”

“And how’s that going to happen? How will you possibly be able to?” Obviously, Daniel was trying to soften his tone, as his wife was still listening in.

“The same way I’ve made it work the last six years.” She refused to share anything about Mark. He was leaving as her personal assistant, and she’d offered him a good position at the sales department, which he’d gladly accepted. Now she’d employ two assistants, as one would be at her side, reviewing all documents with her, and the other running her office. Daniel didn’t need to know any of this.

“Yes?”

“Yes.”

“For heaven’s sake, let her go, Daniel,” Camilla said and sighed. “Sylvie, I’m coming over for my autumn shopping in a couple of weeks. We’ll celebrate then.”

“Uhm…”

“I thought it was a good opportunity, as your father’s spending two weeks in China at the time.”

Relieved, Sylvie began to smile. “Sounds good, Mom. See you then.”

“I’ll let you know in more detail.”

“Good-bye, Father. I’m sorry this was such a disappointment for you.” Sylvie had to say something.

“Hmm. Well. Perhaps if you’re not a disaster, we can spin it to the press the right way.”

Oh, God. Sylvie covered her eyes. “Bye.” She hung up and placed the phone on the nightstand before she lost her temper completely and crushed it against the wall.

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