"I assure you, Mrs. Brauwer, I am. She's proven herself to be an asset,” Jared humbly replied, striding over to the conference table and taking a seat.
When Mr. Brauwer finished dishing up his, plate he joined Jared and his wife on the other side of the room.
Meanwhile, Elizabeth collected two empty containers sitting on the banquet table and started towards the door.
"Wait! Isn't she going to join us?” Claire exclaimed.
Jared shot a pleading glance at Elizabeth. Although, there had been no instruction on his part for her to participate in the meeting, he now saw that it was vital if he hoped to get the Brauwer's full cooperation. Perhaps he'd underestimated her power and influence, after all.
"Elizabeth will you please join us?"
"I'd be happy to."
"Good.” As Elizabeth quietly took a seat, Claire winked at her while Mr. Brauwer began.
"I'm well aware of your extensive reputation on Wall Street, Mr. Bentley. However, our investors have already made their fortunes. They are now looking more towards humanitarian projects, which are beneficial, as well as lucrative.
"I completely understand; old money."
"Yes, but its ‘old money’ that has withstood the Depression and will certainly endure the current financial volatility. Our investors have known each other since our college days at Harvard or Yale. We stick together and we invest together. Naturally, we don't take kindly to outsiders looking to join our circle.” Claire gave her husband a stern look.
"However, my wife Claire strongly believes your name would enhance our group. And, we couldn't help but notice you seem more settled in your personal life than you've been for quite some time..."
He didn't need to continue. Jared knew his weaknesses and so did the rest of the financial district, apparently. His preference for late nights, hard liquor and gorgeous creatures had somehow grown to the point it swelled up, preceding his financial persona; the one that counted. When it began affecting his investments, that's when Jared was forced to take a hard look at himself, and the opportunity of having Elizabeth Lowell work for him.
"We'd like to introduce you to some of our set at a dinner party we're giving this Sunday, if you're available."
"I'd be delighted."
Claire spoke up cheerfully. “Of course the invitation is for you, too, Elizabeth."
"Thank you,” Elizabeth said, smiling politely, although she wasn't sure how Jared felt about including her in the invitation.
Mr. Brauwer opened his valise and pulled out a file, which he presented to Jared.
"Here is a list of some of the philanthropic projects and charities we're considering investing in."
Jared quickly scanned through several documents before handing the file over to Elizabeth.
"What about stock in Brauwer Breweries, or, perhaps, joint product manufacturing?"
"Well, that can be discussed in detail another time, after you've been introduced."
Mr. Brauwer's smile held Jared in check. Regardless of the dinner invitation and the chance to be part of their investment pool, Brauwer obviously still had reservations about Jared.
For the time being, Jared knew it was best to hide his displeasure at being so censored. When Elizabeth glanced up from the file he'd handed her, he knew she could read his thoughts. She did her best to smooth things over.
"Jared's also compiled a list of projects he'd like to invest in. I'll see that you both get a copy tomorrow morning. I just need your emails."
As the men continued their conversation, testing each other's iron will and establishing the finer points of doing business together in the near future, Claire and Elizabeth excused themselves from the table and took a seat a the other end.
"So how's it going, so far?"
"I think I'm getting the hang of it. It's a change from what I'm used to doing, but a good one. I think I like PR work."
"Oh, come now, my dear. That's not what I meant. How's it going between you and Jared?"
So she wanted the details, tantalizing stuff friends shared about their intimate lives. That was highly unusual for a woman who seemed reserved.
"Jan, my executive assistant, told me she overheard a conversation the other day in an elevator between Jared's brother and his ex wife. Apparently, they weren't very pleased that you two were together. According to Jan, it sounded like they were plotting something."
So, her suspicions about Nina had been right. Discovering Sterling's involvement was a revelation, Elizabeth thought as she carefully honed her expression
Information needed to be delicately extracted now, without Claire suspecting anything usual. Only after some facts had been acquired would Elizabeth know how to prepare for the battle surely to emerge in the coming weeks. Without this information, she might as well turn in her resignation now.
At that moment, Elizabeth made a conscious decision to fight for what was hers: her job. Over her dead body would she allow someone take it away from her, again.
[Back to Table of Contents]
CHAPTER TWELVE
Three days prior to the meeting with the Brauwers, Nina flounced into Jared's suite and demanded to see him. She wasn't used to being told she didn't have immediate access to her ex-husband whenever and wherever she wanted him. Emily had politely informed her that Jared was unavailable for the rest of the day. The faint crease on her forehead deepened between two dramatically arched brows and the corners of her mouth slanted, poised for sarcasm.
"What do you mean he's not available?"
"He's on a conference call with the Brauwers."
Emily was walking a thin line, one she hated: serving as the go-between for Jared and Nina. The immense pressure she was under was enough to make her rethink her six-year tenure with Bentley Industries and toy with the possibility of another position. But she also knew with the growing unemployment rate, realistically, she wasn't going anywhere.
"Well interrupt him. Who are these Brauwers anyway?"
"They own the biggest brewery in the world. I don't think it would be wise, Nina. I might lose my job."
"Oh never mind!” Nina exclaimed. “Did you get to run the productivity reports for...?"
Before she could finish her sentence, Emily handed over the file.
"Tell Sterling I ran the dates two weeks prior and after the dates he requested. It will give him a wider perspective for the monthly flow chart."
Nina opened the file briefly, then left without another word, her heavy cologne s lingering long after she'd gone.
Although she'd hoped to catch her alone, Nina already knew Elizabeth was probably helping Jared prepare for his upcoming meeting with the Brauwers, and Jared probably loved every minute of it.
After their initial introduction at the corporate meeting, Nina had ordered a complete background report on Elizabeth. Knowing Jared, he probably didn't bother following through on the new hire procedure she'd instituted. But Nina knew that in order to spin a web of deceit, first you needed to know the facts. Only then could you highlight, misrepresent and skew information to ruin a person's reputation, if you had the time and the means. Nina was endowed with both. She needed a cohort in the scheme she was contemplating. Knowing Sterling, he would need something to set him off. So, off she went, unannounced and barged into his office.
As Sterling sat in his executive chair, spinning his wheels on whether or not to market an upgrade for the latest model of the hand-held device the company manufactured, his thoughts were suddenly interrupted.
"So, tell me, what did you think of Jared's new public relations assistant?” Nina began.
Sterling stared at her blankly, annoyed at the rudeness of the interruption. Nina had no respect for anyone's agenda except her own.
"Not much. Why do you ask?’ He said dully.
"I just receive a background report on her. As usual, Jared failed to follow company procedure. The findings are intriguing..."
"How so?"
"Apparently, she used to work for T
ri-Star Investments. She was a junior financial analyst. That's quite a change from PR work."
"Those old cronies of the dark ages? Poor woman."
"Well, they weren't too thrilled with Ms. Lowell, evidently. In fact they fired her. Something about following company procedures, but it didn't go into details."
"I fail to see your point,” Sterling interjected, making no attempt to hide his boredom.
"I foresee a problem."
"Hardly. She's not even involved in my department."
"Then why is Jared having a meeting with the Brauwers in a couple of days?"
"I wasn't aware there was a meeting with them. Sure, Jared had spoken about the possibility, but nothing concrete ever surfaced"
"Now I think you're beginning to see my point."
Sterling ran his hands through his cropped hair, contemplating a real sore point, a continual bone of contention with his older brother since they were boys: trust.
"So you mean to tell me that Elizabeth Lowell didn't notify the product development manager of a meeting with a prospective investor? I think it's more than an error in communication."
"What do you mean?"
"I think it's deliberate. That's what I mean."
"Okay, Nina. It's obvious that you don't like the woman. But, there's no need for claws."
"Look she's already sleeping with him and his brain has probably gone to mush. But, what's next, steering him in the wrong direction or, worse, stealing our technology?"
"Oh, come on, Nina."
"Take a look."
Nina handed him the document, a background report on Elizabeth Lowell's origins, education and employers. As Sterling quickly scanned the first several pages he gleaned nothing unusual about the information, his manner growing more impatient by the second. Until, he flipped to the last page.
The name stuck out like a sore thumb, a reminder of what could've happened over a year ago if his divisional team of experts hadn't noticed a reoccurring systematic glitch in the company's network server. That a menacing day when an entire year's worth of work was under siege.
"See anyone we know?"
"Have you given any serious thought to the possibility that it may be a fluke, a coincidence?"
"Think about it."
A few seconds elapsed while Sterling mulled over the insinuation and the threat of another hacking incident undermining his division's innovative technology, the hardcore work in the trenches his experts had accrued through networking and global outsourcing, and then the time and energy spent developing, testing and then marketing products that were expected to be the forerunners in the industry. Not to mention the hassle of organizing, cleaning and re-booting the company network; the embarrassment and demise of his reputation and integrity constantly under attack. No, he wasn't about to risk that ever, again. It had cost him way too much. So, in a way, his decision about what to do with Elizabeth Lowell was already predetermined, guilty by association with a known enemy. Sterling had no choice but to side with his brother's ex-wife.
When the meeting with the Brauwers was over, Jared had to admit he was generally pleased with the outcome and that this development wouldn't have taken place without Elizabeth. It was obvious she'd made a splendid impression and the Brauwers liked her tremendously. A few days later, he had to ask her the question that boggled him afterwards.
"How did you do that?"
"What?"
"I've been trying to get that invitation for a while. That's the first hurdle."
"Now's your chance."
"If I can get them to invest in some upcoming development projects in our technology division, then I'll regain the majority of the stock at Bentley Industries. And that means Nina will no longer be in control. Then, I can force her to resign."
As Elizabeth listened, she knew that reminding Jared that his ex wife could be vicious woman was totally absurd. When the stakes were this high, he knew what he was dealing with and the damage she was capable of causing. Silently, she all but wondered how he'd managed to put up with her demanding behavior during their years of marriage. His brother was an entirely another matter. How could she possibly convince Jared that his relation was out to harm her and thwart his connection with his new alliance? The odds were illogical. Elizabeth could sense she'd be treading a fine line, one that could erupt and destroy everything she'd accomplished, so far.
"I accidentally overheard something in the elevator the other day and I've been debating whether or not I should get your opinion."
"Shoot."
"For all I know it's probably not true, just some erroneous misinformation circulating."
"What was it?"
Elizabeth took a deep breath before continuing. “Nina evidently isn't too pleased with our... situation. And, she's planning some kind of revenge against me."
"Sounds like her. I'm not surprised, really. But there's nothing she can do, don't worry."
"What if she was interested in thwarting your image? As your P.R assistant I'm concerned, especially if it interferes with the new contacts we're establishing."
"Not to worry. That's Sterlings’ ‘baby.’”
Suddenly, Elizabeth instinctively knew not to go any further and didn't say another word on the subject. Clearly the loyalty between Jared and his brother was lopsided. It would be foolish to tamper with a connection that was best left to sort itself out. As for herself, Elizabeth would put up her defenses and be on the lookout for trouble.
But Sterling was already plotting. Since it was a common practice to invite Jared to view the latest technology the company was preparing for mass production, it was also the perfect time to plant the seeds of doubt; a time when they would be left alone without interruptions and they could discuss upcoming projects, quarterly projections, the market and business in general. Armed with his valise and several gadgets, around four o'clock that afternoon, Sterling sauntered into Jared's suite.
Emily was busy clearing off her desk and adding tasks to her weekly calendar when she happened to glance up and notice Sterling standing beside her desk.
"Is he here?"
"He's expecting you,” she replied.
"And, where's Elizabeth?"
"Gone for the day, I suppose."
"Great."
Sterling walked past Emily's desk, but as he entered Jared's office he immediately noticed his brother wasn't sitting at his executive desk and he was concerned. When he heard the hum of the motor of the treadmill, his eyes shifted to the far right corner of the room, near the patio door where his brother was glistening, perspiring profusely.
Jared glanced up from the treadmill's monitor. “On time as usual."
"And, late as always. Are you finished with your workout for today?"
"As a matter a fact I am."
Jared pushed the button and the treadmill came to a halt. He grabbed a hand towel, wiped the perspiration from his forehead and dismounted. As he made his way to his executive chair on the opposite side of the room, Sterling followed.
Once both men were settled into their respective seating, Sterling began meticulously unpacking several devices from his valise lining them up on Jared's secretarial.
"Oh, goodie, the latest toys."
"Yeah. I think you'll be impressed with what we've come up with this year"
"I usually am. What do you have for me today?"
Sterling picked up one of the gadgets, flipped open the cover and began his presentation, explaining the various features and capabilities that had been expanded from the year before making it more accessible for executives constantly in transit. The scaled down notebook was larger than most hand held devices yet light enough to carry inside a medium-size purse or valise; and it had all the features of a cellular.
"We were able to combine quite a number of useful applications, like flight information and ticket purchase, GPS navigation, a universal USB Internet port that connects anywhere in the world, along with the traditional laptop platform; only with a special feature fo
r downloading e-books and a mobile device all in one."
"This will set a new trend. I'm speechless."
"Go on. Turn on the power and I'll show you what this thing can really do."
While Jared marveled at this latest piece of innovative technology, he pressed the button on the mini-notebook while Sterling rose from his seat and joined Jared on the other side of the secretarial.
Instructing his older brother on how to use these devices never failed to bring a smile to Sterling face. It was the kind of expression that could easily be mistaken for a smirk on closer inspection.
Several minutes elapsed while Sterling patiently explained step by step each feature application and add-on until Jared was able to perform the functions effortlessly without any assistance. Then, the subject turned sharply in another direction altogether; a matter Sterling had been leading up to until, now.
"How's your new public relations assistant working out for you?"
"You mean Elizabeth. I finally think I've found someone who can make some headway and turn the situation around to my liking. She seems to have a way with these ultra conservative types."
"Well that's quite a career switch from what she was doing at Tri-Star Investments, don't you think?"
Jared sensed some hidden agenda surfacing. He stopped to analyze what gripes or reservations Sterling might have against Elizabeth and came to the conclusion; there were none. No, this sudden inquisition was borne elsewhere.
"So, Nina had them run a background report on her?"
"It's company policy, Jared."
"Yes it is. But, since hiring her was my executive privilege, I made the decision not to run one. I know what I'm doing, Sterling."
"Do you?"
"If you're referring to her previous position as an analyst, I was at Tri-Star's corporate board meeting when they fired her. You're fishing, but you won't find anything. They don't come any more ‘squeaky clean’ than Elizabeth."
"And, you're sure about that?"
” Spell it out. What are you saying?"
"For all we know, she could be still working for them. I mean what do you really know about this woman."
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