Tina’s voice rose, frustration spilling over. “Why should she get away with this? She literally threw hot water at us.
“And she insulted Emily! Are you just going to let her off the hook? Are you really defending her?”
Carter’s jaw tightened, a storm brewing behind his calm facade. “Don’t worry, I’m not taking sides.”
With the wedding to Whitney looming at the end of the month, he was desperate to avoid any unnecessary conflict.
*****
The following day, Whitney stood before the mirror, relieved to see that most of the redness on her neck had faded significantly.
She gathered her hair into a neat updo and chose a stylish one-shoulder knit top, pairing it with wide-leg trousers that exuded both comfort and professionalism.
The doctor had advised her to let the burn breathe, emphasizing that keeping it covered would only prolong the healing process.
As soon as Whitney stepped into the law firm, Valerie’s sharp eyes caught sight of the burn immediately.
“Oh, Whitney, is that a burn?” Valerie exclaimed, her concern palpable.
“Yeah, I accidentally burned myself yesterday,” Whitney replied, attempting to sound nonchalant. “It looks worse than it is, but it’s nothing. A couple of days with some ointment, and it’ll be good as new.”
Valerie was still trying to convince Whitney to take a few more days off when Ivan called her into his office.
“Boss, how can I assist you?” Whitney asked, settling herself into the chair across from him.
Ivan’s gaze fell on the faint red mark on her neck, and his frown deepened. “How did you end up burning your neck?”
Whitney offered a relaxed smile, trying to downplay the incident. “Oh, just a dog knocking over my cup.”
Ivan shook his head, a hint of exasperation in his tone. “You’re great at work, but in real life, you’re a complete mess.”
“Hey, I’m not trying to rush you or anything. Your ex is out of the picture now, right? I’ve already set aside your wedding gift. Am I finally going to get to use it next year?” he teased.
Whitney chuckled silently to herself. “Boss, you know we can’t rush these things. I’ll try, but no promises.”
“Alright,” Ivan said, tossing her a stack of documents. “By the way, have you ever heard of Klein Harris?”
Whitney’s heart raced at the mention of the name.
She took the documents without missing a beat, flipping to the first page, only to be met with a photo of Klein’s icy expression.
The file read: [Klein Harris, 33 years old. He’s the real powerhouse behind Harris Group. After years abroad expanding their overseas business, he just returned a few days ago. Now, he’s focusing on the domestic market.]
“Any thoughts, Boss?” Whitney asked, her curiosity piqued.
Ivan drummed his fingers on the desk, a glimmer of ambition in his eyes. “He’s only been back for a few days, but I’ve heard whispers that Harris Group is on the verge of acquiring NextSphere Electronics. If we can secure the merger contract, we’ll finally gain a foothold with the Harris family.”
Whitney felt a twinge of skepticism. “Boss, Harris Group is a top-tier powerhouse. They have an elite legal team and have always partnered with Lund & Hunt.”
Ivan flashed her a sly smile. “Nothing is set in stone. Rumor has it, the first thing Klein Harris did upon his return was to switch up their law firm.
“Whitney, if we land this deal with Harris Group, your chances of becoming a non-equity partner next year are practically guaranteed.”
Whitney’s heart raced at the prospect. While she wouldn’t receive a cut of the profits as a non-equity partner, her salary would at least double.
With that kind of income, affording her grandmother’s nursing home would no longer be a concern.
“I’ve arranged a business dinner with someone from the Harris Group tomorrow. You’re coming with me,” Ivan announced.
Whitney felt a surge of excitement. “Understood! I’ll dive into everything Harris Group is involved in. I’ll get started right away, Boss.”
As Ivan watched Whitney leave, a satisfied smile crept across his face.
He had always appreciated Whitney for her unwavering determination, a rare trait among her peers.
Whitney had just settled at her desk when her phone buzzed with an incoming call from Carter.
The first time, she declined the call without hesitation.
The second time, Carter bypassed the front desk, determined to reach her.
Barely managing to keep her irritation in check, Whitney finally answered the phone. “Hello, Mr. Harris. Is there something I can assist you with?”
Hearing her refer to him as “Mr. Harris” ignited another spark of annoyance within Carter.
“Whitney, come to my office now,” he commanded, his voice cold and authoritative.
Whitney turned away from the front desk, rolling her eyes. “Mr. Harris, I really can’t leave today. How about I send Mr. Frank Reese over instead? He’s got five years of experience. Trust me, he’ll handle everything for you just fine.”
“Absolutely not. I want you here, Whitney. This is your only shot. If you keep stalling, I’ll go straight to your boss,” Carter snapped, his frustration palpable.
With a resigned sigh, Whitney replied, “Alright, I’ll be at your office in half an hour.”
“Zoe, can you tell me if Mr. Clark Harris is in his office?” Whitney inquired, her tone perfectly measured.
As the representative of the law firm, it was crucial for her to maintain a professional demeanor.
In truth, if propriety weren’t a concern, she would have barged in without a second thought, flinging open Carter’s office door herself.
“Ms. Moore, Mr. Harris is currently engaged in a meeting,” Zoe replied, her voice steady but polite. “Would you mind waiting in the lounge for a bit?”
Whitney’s eyes narrowed, a flicker of irritation crossing her features. “Oh really? Mr. Harris rushed me over here as if it were a matter of life and death. I almost thought the Harris Group was on the brink of collapse.”
Caught off guard, Zoe could only muster a strained smile, choosing silence over a response.
“What is going on today? Mr. Harris is acting unusually, and now even Ms. Moore is being snarky,” Zoe thought, feeling a mix of confusion and concern.
Not wishing to take out her frustration on Zoe, Whitney simply replied, “Zoe, just lead me to the lounge, will you? I have court this afternoon, so I can only wait for thirty minutes. Please inform Mr. Harris that I’m here.”
Once settled in the lounge, Whitney began scrolling through her phone, her eyes scanning the latest gossip surrounding the Harris Group’s recent staff changes. The top headline caught her attention: Klein was returning to take the reins and revamp the company.
As she stared at Klein’s photo, she could almost sense the air of authority emanating from him, even through the screen.
That day, she had completely lost her composure, tears streaming down her face in front of him.
The memory was unbearable. She wished she could erase that entire mortifying moment from her mind.
At the same time, she silently prayed that fate would never allow her to cross paths with Klein again.
The lounge door was slightly ajar, allowing the employees outside to gossip without noticing her presence.
“Did you see that? Is that Mr. Harris’s fiancée in his office? She’s so sweet! Mr. Harris is actually making her coffee himself,” one employee whispered.
“Don’t be ridiculous. That’s his sister. You newcomers probably don’t know, but Mr. Harris treats his sister like royalty,” another chimed in.
“Wait, isn’t his sister adopted? With his beloved adopted sister around, once Mr. Harris brings his bride in at the end of the month, we’ll have some juicy gossip to feast on,” someone else teased.
Whitney put her phone away, her palm tightening into a fist.
“So he left me waiting for half an hour just to indulge his sweetheart in his office?” Whitney thought, her anger simmering beneath the surface.
She stood up, pushed the lounge door open, and marched straight toward Carter’s office.
Zoe had just finished sending an email when she noticed Whitney storming toward them, a fiery determination in her eyes.
Quickly, Zoe moved to intercept her. “Ms. Moore, Mr. Harris is currently meeting with a guest. Would you mind waiting just a little longer?”
Whitney shot Zoe a frosty glare, her patience wearing thin. “You said he was in a meeting, and now he has a guest? Mr. Harris must be a real wizard at managing his time.”
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.