Martin looked up as she crossed the expanse
of carpet but didn’t bother to rise.
Derian stopped a few feet from his desk but
chose not to sit, preferring to look down at him. She hadn’t seen him in three
years, but he hadn’t changed at all. His hair was still jet-black, his face
tight and youthful appearing, and even sitting, she could tell he was in shape.
He had a passion for handball and played several times a week with his
assistants. He still wore his suit jacket, even at his desk, with his tie only
minimally loosened. A mantle of power shimmered around him.
“I’m in the middle of a busy morning,” Martin
said coolly. “I have businesses to run, after all.”
“Then I’ll get right to the point,” Derian
said just as coolly. “I’m taking over the agency until Henrietta is back on her
feet. I want you to call Donatella and tell her to vacate the office.”
Martin laughed and leaned back in his
high–backed leather chair. “Putting aside the fact you have absolutely no
experience, we both know that kind of work would strain your…capabilities.”
“Business is just a sophisticated game,”
Derian said, echoing one of Martin’s favorite sayings, “and one thing I’m very,
very good at is winning games.”
“So I’m given to understand. Why would you
even want to attempt this one?”
“Because that’s what Henrietta wants.” She
took a chance, knowing her aunt would never leave any eventuality uncovered.
“She’s made sure I have a holding interest in the company. It’s in the
paperwork somewhere, and you probably already know that.”
“What I know,” Martin said, an edge creeping
into his voice, “is that you haven’t bothered with the business or anything
else for years. Henrietta’s return is uncertain, and your pretending to be in
charge for a week or two is a foolish exercise.”
“I’ll be here for as long as necessary, and
there are plenty of experienced people already present at the agency who know
how to do their jobs. Emily May is a senior agent and has worked closely with
Henrietta for years. Should I need to consult with anyone, she’ll be
available.”
“Emily May’s employment status is
uncertain”—he waved a hand—“and given that, the board decided someone with more
experience and long-term investment in the enterprise was needed.” He smiled,
his lips a thin line. “I’m afraid you and Ms. May have a great deal in common.
Neither of you is fit to helm the agency.”
Derian slid her hands into her pockets and
strolled to the windows, putting her back to him. His easy dismissal of Emily, as
if she was already headed back to Singapore, infuriated her more than his
expected ridicule of her own abilities. “I haven’t been very interested in the
business, you’re absolutely right. But I find that I suddenly have a new
appreciation for Winfield Enterprises. Up until now, I’ve been happy for Aud to
represent me at board meetings, but now I find I’d rather do that myself. Of
course, it’s possible I might not always be in agreement with your position
when it comes time to vote.”