Page 17 of Anger

“Considering I run a multimillion-pound clothing company and designer line, I would suggest that I do know what I’m talking about, Jonah. My sales keep growing because the designs I release are what people want.”

“You could be a billionaire! If you listen to me.” Jonah flapped his hands again.

Lanie pulled a design. It was a dress shaped like a triangle with shoulders bigger than any potential body, and the dress made from stiffened material.

“How would that function in this office? Or at a garden party? Or even at a ball?” Lanie demanded.

“That’s not meant for an office,” Jonah exclaimed. “Nor a garden party. That dress ensures the wearer isseen. It’s for a red-carpet event.”

“We create elegant, functional, and beautiful clothing. This piece is none of that. Nor is this one, or any of them,” Lanie said, showing Jonah his designs.

“You’ve no imagination!” Jonah spat.

“I am known as one of the most elegantly dressed women in the world. I wear the designs my company put out. If I won’t wear any of this, I wouldn’t expect my buyers too, either. If you wish to design like this, there’s no place in my business for it. Last year, you put an excellent line together. The summer dresses were outstanding. I’ve no idea why you’ve gone this route,” Lanie said with a sigh. She was starting to get a headache.

“They were boring. Anyone could have designed them,” Jonah hissed, folding his arms across his chest.

Lanie withheld a groan. They were going in circles and not getting anywhere, and it had been fifteen minutes already.

“Ultimately, Jonah, the decision is mine. The answer is no. I will not allow these ridiculous lines to be sold in my company. I value your opinion, and you have created some wonderful pieces in the past. But the answers no. I won’t be featuring those designs,” Lanie said firmly.

Jonah leapt to his feet. “You’re making a mistake!” he shouted.

“It’s mine to make,” Lanie agreed.

“You’ve no talent, no vision. I’ll quit,” Jonah seethed.

“The door is there, and HR is on the floor below. Please hand your resignation in there,” Lanie replied.

“You’ll regret this, you talentless philistine! You deserve to die for your lack of fashion sense!” Jonah yelled.

“And you’re done!” Lanie stated as she pressed her security button.

McIntyre entered immediately. Jonah looked at him and puffed up, which made Lanie giggle. Not even on Jonah’s best day could he match McIntyre.

“Please escort Mr Preston to HR. He wishes to hand in his notice. Inform them Mr Preston can leave now, and we will pay any holiday money outstanding. Hell, I’ll be generous and pay him for the full month. But get him off my property. One of his colleagues can empty his desk, and we will send your items on Jonah. Goodbye and good luck.”

“I don’t need luck! I’ve more talent in my little finger than you have in your entire body,” Jonah hissed.

He flounced past McIntyre, who shot Lanie an amused look before following Jonah out. Lanie shook her head. McIntyre couldn’t exactly lose Jonah, as Jonah was wearing a bright yellow suit.

The rest of the day passed swiftly for Lanie as Jonah had put her behind, so she worked hard to catch up. She skipped lunch to get her schedule back on track, and when she finished, she was starving.

“Ranson, can we stop at La Chef on the way home?” Lanie asked.

“Certainly, Miss Cross,” Ranson replied. Lanie dialled and ordered through as they headed to the car. McIntyre took his place beside her in the SUV, and Lanie glanced at him. He still appeared sullen, but it had eased. Until he heard her place her food order. Then his chin clenched.

She had ordered for herself and Dale. Did McIntyre not like him? Or was it concern she’d not eaten? Unusually for her, Lanie was confused. While she’d been around men her entire life, Lanie would never claim to understand them.

McIntyre was proving to be a conundrum, and she was not sure if she liked it. Lanie wanted her life simple. A love affair wasn’t part of the picture.

Lanie reined her thoughts in. Where the hell had that come from? A love affair? Never.

McIntyre might be gorgeous, and he certainly was worth a second look, but Lanie wasn’t driven by her hormones. She’d broken the rules once and had paid the price. It had been too high of one for Lanie to ever risk love again.

The Jar’s Protectors were forbidden from forming relationships. Their sole focus should have been on the Jar of Fate. And deep-down, Lanie blamed herself for Pandora’s actions. If she’d been more alert, not preoccupied by Alainen, might she have sensed Pandora?

Even worse, in her darkest moments, Lanie had wondered if what happened to her and her squad had been punishment for her and Alainen’s illicit affair. Although nobody had mentioned it to her, she wondered if her siblings shared the same thoughts.

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