Chapter 42

Armand's meeting was quick as he dismissed everyone within ten minutes. It seemed that Ian and Camilla had been brought in just as the meeting was ending.

Armand quickly left after the meeting with another team.

Ian assumed that it was the team Mike belonged to since he had tagged along.

As soon as the meeting ended Jake let everyone go and asked Ian and Camilla to come with him to get a cup of coffee.

Thinking that it was just a normal discussion, the two assistants saw no harm in it and went with the manager to the coffee shop on the ground floor.

Since work hours were in full swing, there wasn't a long wait at the elevator.

"I'm sorry the two of you are stuck with me in this team." The manager, Jake, said with a sigh as he leaned against the elevator wall.

Camilla and Ian gave each other a confused look before asking the manager what he meant.

"This team?" Ian asked.

"Yes, well, being in this team is a punishment and a quote, unquote, promotion for me." Jake said as he rolled his eyes. "Look it isn't safe to talk here but I'll explain while we grab a cup of coffee."

Ian and Camilla could do nothing but nod as they took the very awkward elevator ride down.

Apparently the coffee shop Jake wanted to take them to was not in R Tower, rather it was across the street where very few Reyes Group employees went.

They found a quiet area to the side and ordered their drinks.

"I won't lie to you seeing as you were quite friendly with Mr. Hank Laurel." Jake said with a frown. "I know who he is by the way, one of the few."

"What do you mean?" Ian asked as he looked at Jake.

"Honestly if the people below were just as good as the employees working directly for the Reyes Family the Reyes Group would be the best place to work for." Jake said with a sigh as he took a sip of his coffee.

Ian and Camilla looked at each other but decided against saying anything.

Jake took a deep breath and shook his head.

"I'm sure Armand gave you that whole speech about not knowing who you are working with, it's exactly what happened to me." Jake told them. "I used to handle the strongest sales team in the Reyes Group, but because of one kid, I got kicked out of the team."

"Why didn't you tell Hank?" Ian asked Jake.

"I did, why do you think you're in Krisanta Land first?" Jake said with a laugh. "The team I was handed now is one of the poorest performing teams, and I don't think it's their fault."

"What do you mean?" Camilla asked.

"Someone is sabotaging this team. It was Armand and Mike that didn't know who they were messing with." Jake said with a grin.

"Don't tell me you are a Reyes too." Ian said as he rolled his eyes, if Jake belonged to the Reyes Family as well it would be too much.

"No, nothing like that." Jake said with a laugh. "I'm cousins with Hank, on his father's side, but I was kind of disowned."

"So you ended up here?" Ian asked Jake.

"Yes, Lim. I'm not ignorant like Armand, Ian Lim, same name as Ricardo Lim's son?" Jake said with a laugh. "It was Hank that pointed you out at the last party."

"I thought you were disowned?" Ian asked.

"Privately not publicly, as the eldest son of the Laurel family I still need to go to all those damned functions." Jake complained.

"Why not just ask the Reyeses to fire Mike and Armand?" Camilla asked. "Isn't that how it usually works? The CEO's people don't like someone they fire them."

Jack chuckled at Camilla's expectations.

"You watch too many dramas." Jake said. "That's not how the real world works. Plus the Reyes Group is fairer than fair and it annoys the hell out of me. Hank sent you so we could investigate what is going on at Krisanta Land."

Ian and Camilla looked at each other suspiciously, they didn't know if they could trust Jake or if this was some sort of test.

"Look, just ask Hank later. He'll drop by to bring you back to Marco. The boss has a big private event tonight, you'll be needed." Jake explained.

"Let's just say for now we believe you." Ian told Jake with a nod.

"Great, once you confirm with Hank I'll see you tonight and we can talk." Jake said as he finished his coffee and stood up.

"Tonight?" Camilla asked.

"Yep, the Laurels are involved so my dad wants me around." Jake said with a grin as he gestured for them to leave.