Page 115 of Mr. Almost

“I can see that now. She hid it for so long, but now that I’m nolonger following her path, she’s showing her true colors. I know Jack said that he thinks this is me pursuing my personal grievances against her, but that’s not true. She has already tried to use the foundation against me. If she continues to do so, it is only going to reflect poorly on the foundation and us. I really do think this is the best move for both entities.”

“I don’t disagree, but like Mr. Kennedy said, without proof, it can also look bad. Your mother can use it against us. Our hands are tied. I hope you do find the proof needed, but until then, step carefully.”

“Thank you for the warning, George.”

“I promised your father I would look after you. Jack was his closest friend, but he also knew that Jack would be close to your mother as well. I never cared much for the woman. He knew I would put you boys first.”

“That’s comforting to know. Why didn’t you say anything sooner?”

He quirks his eyebrow at me. “Would you have believed me?”

He makes a good point. I wouldn’t have. It took Ari coming into my life to see my mother for who she really is.

“Fair. Take care, George.”

“You too,” he replies as he opens the door and exits the room.

“What now?” Eli asks.

“We wait and watch and hope she doesn’t do anything too stupid in the meantime.”

Chapter

Twenty-Three

OLIVIA

“You are sogood at this. I’m glad they made you manager,” Tristen tells me as I finish my first training orientation with the new hires.

I asked her to attend as well to help answer any questions in case I got stuck.

“You could be doing this too. I’m glad you don’t hold any hard feelings, though. That would have sucked.”

“Are you kidding me? Women should uplift one another. I want to celebrate your successes. My time will come. Besides, I still have so much to learn from you.”

“Now you’re just trying to flatter me.” I open the door to the front reception area, leading the way back to the front desk.

“Maybe, but it’s true. You know what you’re doing.”

“Bet you’d eat her pussy too if she asked,” Kendra, one of the employees who usually takes night shifts, mutters.

I spin on her. “Excuse me? What did you say?”

She gives me a fake smile. “Nothing. You must be hearing things, Mrs. Williamson. Oh, I’m sorry, Ms. Knight.”

Kendra has been one of the only employees to push back against my promotion. I can see why. She’s been at the hotel for two years and has only worked at the front desk. Under the former management, she was able to do whatever she wanted. In fact, she has the highest number of complaints from the remaining employees. From what I understand, she cried about her three children when they called her in to reprimand her for her behavior. She was on the brink of being fired, but she swore she was trying to keep the old manager happy, so she did what she was told.

Max and Iris kept her on, thinking she would be moldable when she’s not. I think she manipulated them into keeping her, and she thought she could act like she was someone new. Instead, I was promoted, and she only grew angrier.

“That language is unacceptable. That is your one and only verbal warning. You will be written up if it happens again.”

She scoffs. “Seriously? You can’t take a joke. I mean, Tristen here is so far up your ass that I’m surprised her nose isn’t brown. Besides, you think you can tell me what to do? You’ve been here, what? Three? Four months? You sucked the boss’s dick and now you think you can tell me what to do?”

“HR. Now,” I growl at her, my anger growing.

“Oooh. I’m so scared. Maybe I can offer Max a blowie and get my own management position. You think if I get knocked up, I will get a higher salary? I heard that’s what you did. You waited a while, though. Smart. Bring the kid in when they are cute to ensnare him. No way Mason would have stayed around with a newborn waking you up every few hours.”

“You’re fired. Grab your things and leave. Now.”

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