14 Arrogant

Parker&Co have grown up side by side with North Industries. I remember that both were small companies when they started working with each other. Some of their advice helped the company develop favorably so until this day both have a good relationship and we were still part of their VIP clients. The audit report for the company always passed by Parker's hands as he checked them personally. With the implications of my words, it meant that I doubted him as well.

The pleasant mood in Parker's face melted away as my words registered. Gone was the friendly attitude from earlier. It was now replaced by the callous businessman he truly is.

"What are you implying?" His face hardened.

His secretary entered the room to bring the both of us a cup of coffee. However, upon noticing that the atmosphere wasn't right, she left his office immediately. His gaze betrayed the impatience inside him as I waited for us to be alone again before I answered.

"I'm sure you already know what I'm trying to look into. Were there any financial issues that came up?" I bluntly replied once his secretary left.

"You know how I work. We've been doing the auditing for years and there's no way we would've missed that kind of issue. Your company is clean. Nevermind that you're doubting us but are you also suspicious of your employees?" He looked offended at the question and tried to soften his voice and convinced me.

It was disgusting to witness how low a human could get for the sake of money. I'd known that there are schemes that happened behind the scenes when it comes to business but to witness it firsthand and be the victim at that just filled me with nothing but fury.

"Clean? Are you sure enough to bet your company name on it?" I dared him, trying to keep myself composed.

"I didn't know that you can be this arrogant. Just a few years of success and you're already throwing your weight around. It seems like you're not suitable to be in the business at all. How about just getting married and settling at home?" Condescension accompanied his insulting words. With this, he completely shed all pretenses of amicability.

"Last I heard, you've been working with quite a lot of female CEOs. I wonder what they would think if they knew how narrow-minded your view is," I smiled in contempt and coldly said.

"Unfounded facts are grounds for defamation. Little girl, aren't you biting off more than you can chew?" Threat marred his tone as he leaned forward with his arms on top of his knees.

I stood up ignoring his petty tricks to assert dominance. He was just wasting time since it doesn't even affect me one bit.

"I'm giving you until tomorrow to redeem yourself by giving me a genuine report. If not, I'm afraid you won't even have anything left to redeem," Finished, I walked out of his office, not wanting to see his nauseating attitude anymore.

Ethan smoothly went to my side as soon as I went out and left Parker's office without a word. The ball's in their court now. All I need to do is wait for their next move and respond appropriately.

"Let's go back to the office," I told him to which he just nodded. I wasn't in the mood to talk right now so I appreciated his perceptiveness to stay silent.

Walking briskly upon arrival, I glanced at Heather's desk and called her, "Let's do the briefing immediately."

I have to catch up on all the things that I missed when I was out so it's going to be a busy day ahead.

"Here's your schedule for the next few days," Heather handed me the tablet.

I nodded upon checking, "Alright, proceed with this. Also, how's the preparation for the contract signing tomorrow?"

"Everything's going well and we've also received confirmation from the press attendees tomorrow."

"That's good. I need you to monitor any movement from those people who we preliminary pinned down as the culprit. Parker would definitely tell whoever's involved with him that I already know something so I'm expecting changes," I told Heather in a grave tone.

"Was it wise to tell Parker? We just needed to wait for the result of the investigation. What if the real culprit managed to cover up their tracks?" Heather hesitantly asked.

"We already have enough evidence. We're just waiting for confirmation of our suspicions. However, the people that we're thinking of, I believe they're just small fry. To actually have the guts to embezzle company funds for years. It should be someone higher up. They would have prepared contingencies in case they get caught. Alerting Parker would temporarily disturb their arrangements so this is a chance for us. I might not be able to get rid of them now but I have enough time in the future," Leaning back on my chair, I explained the logic behind my actions.

"Don't worry, I will pay attention to this matter." She determinedly promised.

"I'm counting on you. I will catch up with the work that I missed so if anyone comes by, tell them I'm busy at the moment," I said while gesturing at the pile up papers that I need to go through.

I was flipping through some folders when my concentration was broken by noises. I looked up in time to see Bert coming inside like he owned the place followed by Heather who was trying to stop him.

"I've been looking for you Miranda. Isn't your business trip poorly timed when we were in the middle of preparing for the contract signing for Regal?" He immediately started ranting without care. Scolding like I was just some nobody.

I didn't bother replying as it appears that he didn't want any sort of response from me since he started speaking again.

"Let me remind you Miranda that Regal is very crucial to us. What if we lost it because of your inattention? Aren't you being irresponsible like this?" He threw a disappointed glance at me.

I wanted to laugh at his words since he was acting like I wasn't the one who got the deal in the first place but I was afraid that it would just set him off again and I really didn't want to waste my time on him anymore so it's better to cut him off now.

"Aren't you overstepping your bounds, Bert? You're the Director from the Production Department. Collaboration with Regal hasn't formally started yet and the preliminary preparations are not even under your jurisdiction. Unless you want me to transfer you to another department?" I raised my eyebrows in question.

"Never mind. I was just trying to advise you out of good intentions. I guess now that you grew up, you don't need it anymore," he left the office in a huff right after.

I rolled my eyes at his last line then I noticed Heather glared at his back while exiting.

I told her while I was signing some documents, "Ignore him. We should give him the opportunity to do whatever he wants now. In the future even if he misses this place he won't even have a chance to go back."