Page 13 of Petals and Fangs

“Maybe those clients are allergic to retinoids,” I abruptly say, crossing my arms and standing in the middle of them. It made me feel powerful to voice my opinion.

“Retinoids?” Alfred asks. Confusion is obvious on his face. I know I need to stay out of their business.

“Isn't that the basic component of your anti-aging products? Few people know that. That is why you might hear people starting to complain about their skin getting dry after they tried out your products.”

“Anti-aging, yes. Yes, of course, Ms. Snow. That is what our company is best at. Isn't that true, Mr. Rothschild?” Alfred says, looking at me still.

“Well, yes. Yes, of course,” Ethan clears his throat again.

As I scan their faces, it occurs to me that I am now the only one smiling. They look worried, yet they can’t take their eyes off me.

“By clients, do you mean FDA-related ones, Alfred?” Ethan asks, his face full of questions, yet there is a smirk on his face.

“I don’t think we should talk about that here. Ms. Snow, please forgive us, but these are serious matters that must be discussed privately,” Alfred says.

“I understand. It was nice meeting you. I will be heading back to Ethan’s office. I mean Mr. Rothschild’s,” I say and take a few steps back.

“Both of us are leaving, Ms. Snow. Give me a minute.”

“It is fine. I don’t have much work left to do at your office anyway. You can stay with your advisors.”

“I am sure they can wait,” Ethan says, not taking his eyes off mine. It is the same look from years ago. I wonder what he is thinking about.

“Ethan, this is indeed about the FDA,” Nick interferes, slightly whispering.

“There is no need to whisper.”

“The FDA insists on making the investigations. We might be escorted to the court eventually if we don't work on this,” Nick says again.

“The FDA? Really?” I ask.

“It is not something that concerns you, Ms. Snow. So don't worry about it. This is just a minor inconvenience.” Nick says, slightly raising his hand.

His tone sounds harsh, but he does not sound like he is making things up. Maybe he is right. I have nothing to do with this.

“But, Ethan, I mean Mr. Rothschild, if it concerns the FDA, you should pay a bit more attention. They’re not easy to deal with,” I say.

“Maybe he should pay more attention, indeed,” Alfred echoes after me.

“Alright. That's it. We are not discussing this here. Not now.”

“But Ethan-” Nick starts to say.

“I will take care of this. I know the people at the FDA. They can't touch us. Not again.”

“But Mr. Rothschild.”

“Tonight, Alfred. Perry, our attorney, will guide us out of this mess again.”

Again? I think to myself, till Ethan’s voice brings me back to reality.

“After you, Ms. Snow,” he says and holds the office door open for me.

The smirks on Nick and Alfred’s faces tell me no good. They watch every move I make, even after heading out of the office.

This is my first day. It must go way better than this. I have not only failed to control my desires towards Ethan, but I have also heard a lot of things that are none of my business.

I don’t want to be involved in the company’s business, but what is so wrong that the FDA is trying to investigate Rothschild Pharmaceuticals?

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