Page 111 of Ice Princess

“Mr. Rodney.”

He reaches for my hand and I expect to give him a firm handshake. Instead, he claps my fingers and gives me a fatherly squeeze.

My eyes dart to his in surprise.

“Gentlemen,” Rodney waves to the five older men sitting around the table in suits, “this is Rebel Hart, a female mechanic based in Lucky Falls and the woman who orchestrated one of the best days of my life—the day I got my son back.”

“Oh, it’s nothing so dramatic,” I say nervously, glancing around. I don’t see any projectors in the room. Leaning toward Mr. Rodney, I whisper, “Do you have a projector? If not, it’s okay, but I was hoping to share some pictures of the farms and communities in need.”

Mr. Rodney shakes his head subtly and grins, leading me to the table of businessmen.

I find his reaction strange but, until I have a clearer picture of what’s going on, I have no choice but to stumble along.

“Rebel, this is Vivesh Nandwani. He’s my business partner and the man who invested in me when no one else would.”

“Pleasure to meet you, Ms. Hart. I’ve never met a female mechanic before.” He bobs his head, staring at me like I’m half fish, half woman.

“Nice to meet you.”

The next man who’s introduced is so big, his shirt button is holding on for dear life. At any second, that poor button will burst and smack me in the middle of my forehead.

“This is Henry Griffith,” Mr. Rodney says.

“No wonder your son fell head over heels, Rod. She’s a beaut!” Mr. Griffith takes my hand in his sweaty palm.

I smile in discomfort and pull my hand back.

Mr. Rodney introduces me to everyone in the room. They all grin, crack jokes or compliment my appearance.

While their overt friendliness should have set me at ease, it only confuses me. This feels more like I’m being paraded around at a family function, not a business meeting.

Did I misunderstand the assignment?

Realizing that I’ll need to take control of the meeting and get us back on track, I walk to the head of the table.

“Ehem.”

The men stop and stare at me.

“Your time is precious gentlemen, so I’d like to get started. I’m here on behalf of the Lady Luck Society?—”

Mr. Rodney hurries around the table. “Rebel, Rebel.”

I stop.

“There’s no need for that. Today’s meeting is simply a formality.”

I blink slowly. “I don’t understand.”

“Rodney, I think your daughter-in-law should move here and take over the company’s NGO division,” Vivesh Nandwani says. “With her face, she won’t even have to say a word. People will instantly throw cash at the charity.”

I gawk. “I’m sorry. Did you say ‘daughter-in-law’?”

“Gentlemen.” Mr. Rodney flashes the room a sheepish look.

Henry Griffith guffaws. “Rod, were you boasting about it to everyonebuther?”

My heart lurches in my chest and I feel like I’m about to throw up. “W-what do you mean?” I turn to Mr. Rodney. “What are they talking about?”

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