Page 2 of It Starts With A No

As it turned out, Mr. E was a hundred percent serious.

His grandson, Hugh Eolenfeld, had messed up. She was taking over.

Clary had no interest in taking over the Eolenfelds’ banking empire, especially when it was currently embroiled in the colossal mess that Hugh Eolenfeld created.

But Mr. E had promised her something in return.

Something she couldn’t say no to.

And the timing had been impeccable. As much as she loved her previous job, she needed to take a break and get out of New York for a while.

“I think you should try calling him again,” her assistant said.

Clary drummed her fingers against the steering wheel, taking a moment to blow a quiet breath out of her mouth. Don’t take it personally. Which was starting to be difficult. Especially when everyone had been using all sorts of passive-aggression to indicate she wasn’t really the one in charge.

“I’ll do the same,” Tamara continued.

Tamara Chambers was her on-loan assistant from Mr. E. She had worked for him over the last few years. Hardworking, decent girl, Mr. E had said. I trust her. She’ll help you until you find your own assistant—if you decide to get your own assistant.

And Tamara had been superb. She’d arrived a week earlier to set everything up for Clary.

When Clary arrived in San Francisco, Tamara was at the airport to pick her up. She was ready with the key to the mansion. The place was sparkling clean. A part-time maid had been scheduled. Clary’s car was already parked in the driveway, and her work pass and the access codes she needed were all ready.

All that made Clary confident that she and Tamara would make a great team. They were both young women Mr. E trusted, both dropped into this crazy situation. They’d have each other’s backs, right?

Maybe not.

Perhaps it was time to find her own assistant.

Clary adjusted her grip on the steering wheel. Though she’d had her driver’s license for years, she’d never actually driven since passing her test. So she was already nervous in the car and really didn’t need to have this conversation now. “Mr. Eolenfeld made me the CEO. My decision is final.”

Tamara didn’t reply.

Clary opened her mouth to apologize for being harsh, then forced herself to shut it again. Because she wasn’t actually sorry, and she was tired of always feeling as if she had to apologize for simply taking a stand.

“Okay,” Tamara said. “I’ll still try to contact Mr. Eolenfeld on my end.”

Clary drew a deep breath through her nose. If she weren’t driving up the hill right now, she’d pull over and just scream.

Every single decision she’d made since taking over had been met with fierce resistance. Even a simple no couldn’t be understood.

“Oh,” Tamara continued. “Hugh Eolenfeld came by again.”

“Did you call security?”

“Yes, but … you know.”

Yes, Clary knew.

Despite her specific instructions that Hugh Eolenfeld wasn’t allowed in the building, security didn’t quite dare to throw their previous boss out. After all, no one believed Clary would remain long in her position. No way Edward Eolenfeld would really hand over the reins of EB Co. to a mistress permanently, right?

The security team had stopped Hugh from entering the building when she wasn’t around. But otherwise, the team always just waited until Hugh Eolenfeld stopped ranting before coaxing him to leave.

Clary had tried her best to ignore Hugh, but this had to stop. She’d have to do something about that.

But what?

Swallowing a sigh, Clary asked, “Are you all right?” Since she wasn’t in the office, Tamara would have taken the heat—the curses, the threats.

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