Page 81 of Analysing Her Assets

“I won’t have my son doing my dirty work,” his mother answered, meeting Paulina’s stare squarely. Unexpectedly, Paulina grinned.

“My son married well,” she said, and before the surprised Naomi could find an answer, she hustled out for her waiting driver.

“Gideon, will you come over?” A triumphant Yehoshua gestured him regally. “I want you to meet Doron, our CFO.” His father’s arm was around the young man’s shoulder. They just disengaged from a warm hug, celebrating the approval of Young Doron’s option plan. Gideon reminded himself, again, that he had no right to be jealous. His father needed to think of his company’s future. He just wished he picked a more charismatic candidate.

Gideon climbed onto the small dais and shook Young Doron’s hand. If the handshake was anything to judge by, then he didn’t like him. His hand was soft and damp.

“Hi, Gideon, I was looking forward to meeting you!”

“Me too. I’ve heard a lot about you. If our share goes up, you’ll be a major shareholder, congrats.”

“Your father tells me you’re a candidate to be Peaks’ chief financial analyst. We’re all rooting for you here,” Young Doron simpered.

“Thank you,” Gideon said, his dislike more intense by the minute.

“Since you work at Peaks, it made sense for Berdiplast to have their FX and securities business there.”

“You didn’t need to do that.” Gideon refrained from pointing out that no one at Peaks, bar Tamar and Ada from HR, knew he was associated with Berdiplast.

“Danny Golan, do you know him? He heads the Israeli shares desk. He took me to dinner, gave me excellent papers on shares, including of companies that we compete against. Your research department’s analyses are great.”

“Thank you,” Gideon said. Every second sentence of this man was flattery.

“I told him I was working for your father.” Young Doron smiled sunnily.

He froze. Danny Golan had known he was a Berdichevsky, yet he never dropped a hint. He also kept the information to himself, otherwise Gideon would have heard of it.

“Oh, good,” he said, not meaning it. “When was that?”

“A couple of weeks ago? I’m sorry, did you want it to be kept a secret?” Young Doron asked. His father stood rigid next to them.

“No, I’m not ashamed of my family,” Gideon answered and smiled his fakest smile at the irritating man. No wonder he was Danny Golan’s friend.

“Danny is the next head of brokerage, I was flattered he gave me the time of day. After all, to the great Peaks Investments, we are a very small fry,” Young Doron said, overdoing the humble act.

“All business is good business,” his father said woodenly. “Brokers know it. And we’re a growing company.”

“Danny gave me a tour of the trading room. He told me about a project he has with the research department that would give him major brownie points. He said it was the work of a lady, Tamara I think she’s called, that was running against you for the job. Danny said she’s great.”

“Tamar,” Gideon muttered through teeth which wouldn’t open. “Her name is Tamar.”

“As I said, I’m on your team, but Danny said she was a serious contender. Good luck!” Young Doron bared his teeth in another annoying smile. Gideon smiled back. Once he was back here, he would show this prick his proper place. He had no trouble doing a little dirty work.

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