Page 337 of The Christmas Wife

She raises a shoulder, then sighs. "I don’t know if it’s a fact, but I do know women need all the help they can get. And bygoing that extra mile for your employees, you’ll ensure they stay loyal to you."

"I pay them. That’s more than enough. If they don’t like it, they can leave, as can you—" I stab my finger over my shoulder.

My assistant stiffens, “If I hadn’t seen you with the baby, I’d believe you were an insensitive ass, but now?—”

“Now?” I incline my head.

“Now, I know youareone, you?—"

"I’m so sorry, this is all my fault,” my HR manager cuts in, “my babysitter cancelled today, and I knew I had to get into work to complete the staff-training. I thought I’d get through things while she was asleep, but then she woke up. Then, I had to change her. And then, she started crying." She swallows. "I’m sorry, Mr. Chase, I know it’s against the rules. It won’t happen again."

I nod, “Emergencies happen, and we can’t always predict circumstances when it comes to children, so I’m willing to overlook the incident. This time.”

“Of course,” Adela says stiffly.

“It’s not what I want to do, but I have to set an example, you understand? If it happens again, I’ll have to compensate for the drop in productivity by taking it from your salary."

My assistant gasps. "And will you pay her extra if productivity goes up?"

I shoot her a look. She scowls back, but thankfully, stops speaking.

"It won’t happen again.” Adela pats the now sleeping baby on her back, then turns to my assistant. "Thank you, Mira, you're a lifesaver."

My assistant smiles. "Anytime."

I make a warning noise at the back of my throat.

Of course, she ignores it. "What’s your daughter's name?" she asks.

"It’s Andrea," the other woman replies softly.

"I predict Andrea’s going to sleep for at least another hour, enough time for you to get through whatever's urgent."

The HR manager shoots her a grateful look, then walks back toward the makeshift bed she has for the baby.

Silence descends. Mira stiffens then slowly turns to me. "I guess I can’t delay any longer?"

I tilt my head.

She heaves another sigh, then lowers her chin to her chest. "Fine, whatever. I know you’re pissed off. But I’m not going to say sorry."

"Good."

She jerks her gaze back to my face. "Did you say, good?"

"You passed your first test."

Her jaw drops. "Did you say, test?"

I raise a shoulder. "If you want to work as my assistant, you need to stand up to me."

She blinks slowly. "I thought you wanted someone who follows orders?"

I tap my fingers against my chest. "You arrived at eight a.m. today, didn’t you?"

"Another test?"

I fake a yawn. "Enough of this prattle." I turn, walk a few steps forward, then turn back and scowl. "Are you waiting for a special invitation, Ms. Young?"

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