“Ms. Baron, I’d like you to meet my new consultant and soon to be partner, Ms. Diane Chandler. She is going to be helping us with some new guidelines for my company.”
“Nice to meet you,” Phoebe said and held out a hand, which the woman ignored with a slight huff. “Does that mean the filing system is being updated, too?” she asked as her hand fell lamely back at her side.
Yancey nodded as Diane hopped down from his desk. “Yes, she will be overseeing the new system for the next few weeks. Make sure everything is in place that needs to be and that the new rules are being followed correctly.”
“Well then, I look forward to the changes,” Phoebe said, trying to keep the smile on her face as her mind started racing. She was going to have to work with this woman? It was going to be a nightmare. She hoped that was all he was going to tell her, but Yancey didn’t say she could leave. He just sat there, staring at her like a hawk. “Is there something else?”
“Yes. I’m afraid, due to the new system, certain files are now going to be blocked from your access. It’s just how the new security is going to work. You understand?”
She frowned. “How am I supposed to organize and keep the archives up to date if I can’t access them?”
“That’s where I come in,” Diane said, still smirking as she played with her diamond pendant.
“I don’t understand.”
“She’s not here just to train you. She’ll be in charge of all the highly classified files.”
“Does the board know about this?” Phoebe asked before she could stop herself.
Both of them glared at her, and she shifted in her chair, wanting nothing more than to bolt out the door. Instead, she tried to apologize for being out of line, but Yancey held up his hand to stop her muttering.
“You will do as you are told and not ask questions about things that are above you,” he snapped. “Otherwise, you will find yourself quickly without a job. I’m sure your mother would understand, seeing as how you are her sole caretaker.”
Phoebe blanched as if she’d been slapped in the face. “You…you’re bringing my mother’s illness into this?”
“I don’t think you understand. I will do whatever it takes to protect the well-being of this company, so yes, Ms. Baron, I will use whatever means necessary to keep my company’s secrets safe from everyone, inside and outside of these walls,” he said, standing as he spoke. “Is that clear? Or do you need a harsher reminder?”
She shook her head, clasping her hands together to keep them from shaking.
“Good. Then Diane will see you first thing tomorrow to start the new system. I expect you to treat her well, or you will have to answer to me. Now, be a good employee and get the hell out of my office.”
She didn’t need to be told twice as he stared down at her with bared teeth. The redhead smirked wider as Phoebe scampered out the door, almost smacking herself in the face with it, she pulled it so hard. The woman barked a laugh, and Phoebe felt her cheeks flush as she hurried past the assistant’s desk and all the way to the stairs, not wanting to wait for the elevator. It was hard to breathe when she finally reached her office, her chest clenched tight. What the hell was happening to her life? She never got involved in things like this or pushed the boundaries. Yet here she was, digging around where she didn’t need to be.
To have him threaten her like that, to use her mother… She couldn’t go to anyone. No one would believe her, and he’d find a way around it like he always did. He’d gotten away with everything else so far.
No, maybe Phoebe’s best option was to back out of this. Go back to keeping her head down and doing her work. The less she knew, the less danger she was in, right? Somehow, she didn’t think that would save her. She’d already seen too much.
Her phone buzzed in her pocket, and she pulled it out to check. There was a message from Mitch, confirming their dinner plans. Her finger hovered over the ignore button, but she texted him back and said she was looking forward to it. She just hoped she could make herself believe the lie and get through the evening without any problems.
***
Mitch watched Phoebe rush out of Yancey’s office and gritted his teeth. What the hell did that man do now? He’d had everything under control. There was no need to threaten the poor girl. She was in way over her head, and she was starting to realize it. She’d been up to something over the weekend, but Mitch hadn’t figured out what yet. The text about her being sick was bull.