Page 22 of Undeniably Corrupt
She gives me a look, her features soft if not a little curious. “No. He brought them when he came in this morning.”
He brought them?
“And the extra laptop?” I press.
“He said the ones from the school are shit.”
Now I laugh. That fucker. “How does he know I only have a school-issued laptop? Or how old Hazel is, for that matter?”
“Honey, he’s Vander Moore. He knows everything. And that’s not some exaggeration. He actually knows everything. All those things you signed, this is how it is. Our background checks make the ones the government does look like child’s play. He knows everything about you.”
That gives me pause because there are a lot of things a background check can’t find. No. Vander doesn’t know everything. He knows enough, and his enough keeps him happy in his executive little bubble of I have money and can throw it around to my own gain.
Still, the play space for Hazel is nice, and she’ll like it, so fuck him. I’ll keep the toys and the office.
“Amazing. He’s so generous.”
I wonder if she can hear the sarcasm in my voice. I never imagined a day would come where I’d hate Vander Moore, but here we have it, despite the expensive toys he’s bestowed upon me. Maybe it’s not hate. Maybe it’s more resentment or anger. I don’t know. I just know I don’t like him. And I sure as hell don’t trust his corrupt ass.
“I’m gonna leave you here to get settled and be back for you in about an hour. We have an introductory meeting with the department heads.”
I turn to her and force a smile. “Excellent. Can’t wait. Do I get any private time with Vander?”
She gives me a long look. “Only if you want it. But I will say this: know what you’re getting into with him. And when he’s locked in his closet, you don’t bother him.”
I saw that in the documents. It was phrased differently and put into poetic legalese, but I didn’t understand it any clearer then than I do now. A closet? What kind of grown man locks himself in his work closet, and what’s actually in there?
“You know what? I think I’ll just settle in and figure it all out myself. I need to learn where things are anyway. Thank you for everything, Champagne. I mean it. I’ll see you at the meeting.”
Champagne gives me a happy smile and leaves me to it.
Only she doesn’t know me well enough yet to know that there’s only so much shit I take from men at this point. I unlock the phone per the instructions laid out for me and send my new boss a text.
8
Me: Once again, you’ve officially overstepped.
Vander: Are you unhappy with your new office? I think Hazel will love her play space.
Me: How do you know my daughter’s name is Hazel?
He doesn’t reply, and I’m not surprised by that. Ugh. This man.
Me: Thank you for the laptop and toys for Hazel.
Vander: You’re welcome.
Me: I think you’re an elitist, manipulative asshole who covers his wrongdoings with shiny presents.
Like my father, which only increases my dislike and distrustof him.
Me: I’m not here for that. I’m here because you made me an offer I couldn’t refuse and nothing more.
Vander: Tell me about what happened with your father.
Was he just reading my mind or following up on what I stupidly said the other night?I walk over and sit in my new ergonomically friendly chair and spin around so I’m facing the window and the Boston skyline. This is a bit of a trip. I feel like Julia Roberts inPretty Womanminus the prostitute thing or the sleeping with a billionaire part. Okay, maybe it’s not like that movie at all. Maybe it’sWorking Girlthat fits this better, but Vander Moore is no young Harrison Ford.
No, he’s hotter, my inner cynic whispers, and I sigh. I shouldn’t have said yes to this.
