Page 30 of Jael

She continued to walk by, her eyes shifting to each in the room. Artus looked annoyed. He said something to the group and shook his head. Christopher had his back to her. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table in a relaxed posture that suggested either he was confident of winning the argument or it didn’t matter.

She continued past the room and entered her dad’s office, sitting on a forest-green leather couch while she looked at her phone to go through emails. Having to wait to speak to her dad was only increasing her agitation. She’d need to keep a cool head with him if she was going to get anywhere. Especially since he was clearly in a bad mood. If she was lucky, he’d come out of the meeting on top. But with both the Siseras in the room, she wasn’t confident that’s what would happen.

There were things her dad wanted that she could give, but whether it would be enough… She reminded herself that if he failed her, she could appeal to Christopher.

The rustle of an expensive suit brought her mind back to her task, but when she looked up, Christopher was standing in the door with a mildly shocked but very pleased look on his face.

“This is a surprise,” he said, walking to his desk to put a folder there before leaning against it to face her.

“This is your office now,” she said curtly as she stood. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t even think. I’m here to see my dad.”

He nodded with a frown. “I was afraid of that. I’d hoped you’d changed your mind about lunch. There’s still time if you’re free.”

“Thank you. I may have to take you up on that sooner than later.”

“Great.”

“I’ve had a problem come up.”

“So it’s all business then?”

“It has to do with Vita Nova.”

“Anything I can do to help?”

“Possibly, but it’s clear my dad is still using his sway here to make things difficult.”

Christopher’s eyebrows bunched together. “He has a tendency to do that.”

“I walked past the conference room. It didn’t look like things were going well. There was lots of frowning.”

Christopher laughed. “There’s always frowning in meetings like that. Don’t read too much into it.”

“I was surprised to see your dad there. I wouldn’t have thought he’d be interested.”

“My dad is always interested. We’re looking at ways that Jabin Enterprises and Heber Industries can work together.”

“I wouldn’t think their interests intersect very much.”

“You’d be surprised. Both companies have their strengths and weaknesses. But if you need to speak to your dad, we shouldn’t stand around chatting. He left in a huff.”

“I take it he wasn’t as satisfied with the meeting as you were?”

“Transitions can be tricky.”

“So I should expect to find him in a bad mood.”

“Sorry, but yes. If you don’t get anywhere with him, though, you know where to find me.”

“I do now. Thank you. And I won’t make myself at home in your office anymore.”

“I really wish you would. My door is always open to you.”

“Thank you. I’ll see you later.”

She hurried to the elevator and called her dad.

“Sweetheart, now’s not a good time,” he said.

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