Page 40 of Dubious Match
“Well, I may have just given him a stroke. I’ll be sure to send my condolences to your mother if I did.”
Hiding a smile, I shrug. I did notice how red my father’s face got at Cian’s words. It would have been hard for him to believe that I have access to a meeting he doesn’t get to attend since my grandfather is still alive. I actually very much enjoy when I get to see him, even if it’s just at these formal meetings.
It also goes to show how little my grandfather tells my father about me.
Everyone turns as Cian escorts me inside, and I keep a neutral smile on my face. Honestly, what else am I supposed to do with my face? It feels a bit like being a fish in a fishbowl as everyone stares at you.
My grandfather gives me a warm smile though, and I squeeze his hand as I walk by. Why couldn’t my father be more like him?
“I understand my presence has been requested,” I say, turning to face everyone.
“It has,” Patrick Ryan says with a chuckle. “You’re always a breath of fresh air, Hollis. I hear you didn’t feel well last week. All better?”
“Much,” I admit, sitting down. Cian goes to find his own seat, while I get comfortable. “How can I help?”
All of my figures are in my phone, which is why I didn’t feel the need to bring anything else in.
“First off, have you been receiving any threats of any kind?” Patrick asks.
“Me?” I ask. “No, should I expect some?”
“Emilia’s rants are getting louder and more uncontrolled,” Adira says from the middle of the room. “Have you heard any of it?”
“I haven’t. As you know, I was down with a migraine. When I started to feel better, I jumped back into work. We’re too close to this event to be able to relax,” I say. “She’s about to be even more angry if this is the case because I just was asked to speak on a radio show about Forever Yours.”
“I love that name,” Patrick says with a nod. “You’ve been doing so much work on this. The Senior Families are going to donate to this event. It isn’t right that you’re putting this huge amount of time and effort into something you’re not being paid for.”
“Not to mention,” Corbin drawls, “we also asked for a countermeasure to Emilia’s plans and you immediately jumped in to help.”
“I have a dating agency,” I remind him, “and cutting through the red tape of courting is my passion. Why wouldn’t I suggest helping?”
“Exactly,” Cian says as if that’s answer enough.
“Cian, have pity on me,” I groan. “With all due respect, that was clear as mud.”
“We are clearly continuing a conversation that you haven’t been looped in on,” Corbin says with a laugh. “Our hands are tied when it comes to Emilia, but that doesn’t mean you’re not waging your own defense against her farce of a dating event. Therefore, we’re donating twenty thousand dollars between all of us.”
Blinking at him in shock, I run through my costs in my mind. That’ll cover the venue, security, my time, as well the rest of the event costs.
“That’s very generous of you all,” I rasp. “I didn’t think I was here for you to throw money at me though.”
“That’s not the only reason,” Corbin smirks. “However, if you’re getting sick because of all the extra work we’re throwing at you, we believe you deserve to be compensated.”
“Thank you,” I whisper, feeling overwhelmed. Blinking rapidly, I swallow hard. “This will fund the entire event along with the sponsor who came forward last week.”
“Excellent,” Patrick says with a nod. “Now, tell us how things are going.”
Over the next forty minutes, I give them updates on what I’m doing, the event, how it’ll run, and the follow-up I plan to provide afterward to foster any connections that were made.
“So things are running as smoothly as you expect them to?” Cian asks.
“Absolutely,” I say. “I expect I’ll be hearing from people over the next few weeks, and that the event will be full. I’m very pleased with the amount of support and excitement for it.”
“Alright, you have this part covered,” Mr. Finnegan says. “Let’s move forward with our other concern.”
“What he means,” Patrick says, glaring at the alpha, “is the missing van of omegas from the rescue at Slick Dreams.”
“Of course,” I murmur. “I’ve been monitoring different chats, asking for the roster of auctions when they’re available, but as of right now, I don’t have anything definite. There is a woman named Madam Clara that is transitioning to a floating auction model that I’m currently watching. It’s an ingenious idea.”
