the main issue is really just related to one company, The Arena.”
Dylan leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms. “Yes. We discussed this the other day. The problem with the software we purchased from Pegasus. It’s on them, not us.”
“I wish that were entirely true. But we have found that there was more happening than just a few data breaches here and there. The Arena has not only been losing data, but they—I mean Vawter—has been charging members’ credit cards randomly. The emails we’ve seen from your customer service department show serious complaints. Charges of hundreds of thousands of dollars in total.”
“How can this be right? We have an army of internal auditors that review these numbers for me and this is the first time I’m hearing of this kind of problem.” Cain tapped on the table passionately. “Dylan, why wasn’t I told about this? How long have you known?”
“What do you mean, ‘How long have I known?’ I’m hearing about this now, too.” He sneered at his partner and friend, his face like granite, unreadable but obviously angry.
Cain raised his voice and directed his attention toward Dylan. “You’re telling me that you are just now learning this is more than just a little data breach? It’s your job to be on top of this technical stuff.” Cain’s face began to flush as he fumbled for words. “Dylan, this is embarrassing.”
Ashley placed her ivory hand on Cain’s and he slowly calmed down. He gently pulled his hand away, turned to her and smiled. I felt the jealousy stir inside of me again, but quickly reminded myself of the message I had seen from her to Cain. Why should I care?
Chapter Two
My eyes focused on Cain and then shifted to Dylan, who was leaning back in his chair, exuding confidence and denial. His arms were still crossed and Cain’s anger didn’t seem to have any effect on him. “Yes, Trey. I knew about that, but we took care of it. It wasn’t something you needed to worry about. You’re always so busy running here and there. I wasn’t aware there were so many emails to customer service, but I guess I’ll keep an eye on that next time.” The sarcasm in his voice was apparent.
I flipped the pages of my notes. “I’m sorry, t here’s more. Shall I continue?”
“Actually, I’d like to have a quick discussion with Dylan and Ashley,
in private. Please give us a minute.” Cain looked at me directly, with complete seriousness and determination. I didn’t dare protest. I nodded and left the trio to figure out what the hell was going on.
My father and I joined Reese at the back of the room. “Well, what do you think?” Reese’s gruff voice hardly stayed below a whisper.
“I think Cain was surprised about what he heard, and he seems pretty pissed off. Dylan is just all over the place. I don’t trust him at all.” I glanced toward the table, trying to gauge what they might be talking about. Dylan was now standing, his back straight, chin up, chest out. It was obviously some sort of confrontation.
Dad pulled me back into our conversation. “Jennifer, I need to remind you that these are our clients. They—Mr. Parker—hired us. I would appreciate it if you were a little more considerate and respectful toward them. They aren’t on trial—yet.”
“I’m sorry, Dad. I just…”
“Don’t apologize, Jennifer. Just fix it. I almost get the feeling there is some tension between you and Mr. Parker…and, for that matter, his assistant. You barely acknowledged her.”
I realized I had been letting my emotions get the better of me, but it was difficult to hold back. I stared at Cain from across the room. I hated him so much right now, but I was still so attracted to him. He caught me mid-stare, while he was still in a deep discussion with the others in his group. His mesmerizing blue eyes pulled me in deeper and I had to look away. “Don’t worry, Dad, I’ll take care of it.”
“Jennifer, I’m giving you some leeway, but do
Dylan leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms. “Yes. We discussed this the other day. The problem with the software we purchased from Pegasus. It’s on them, not us.”
“I wish that were entirely true. But we have found that there was more happening than just a few data breaches here and there. The Arena has not only been losing data, but they—I mean Vawter—has been charging members’ credit cards randomly. The emails we’ve seen from your customer service department show serious complaints. Charges of hundreds of thousands of dollars in total.”
“How can this be right? We have an army of internal auditors that review these numbers for me and this is the first time I’m hearing of this kind of problem.” Cain tapped on the table passionately. “Dylan, why wasn’t I told about this? How long have you known?”
“What do you mean, ‘How long have I known?’ I’m hearing about this now, too.” He sneered at his partner and friend, his face like granite, unreadable but obviously angry.
Cain raised his voice and directed his attention toward Dylan. “You’re telling me that you are just now learning this is more than just a little data breach? It’s your job to be on top of this technical stuff.” Cain’s face began to flush as he fumbled for words. “Dylan, this is embarrassing.”
Ashley placed her ivory hand on Cain’s and he slowly calmed down. He gently pulled his hand away, turned to her and smiled. I felt the jealousy stir inside of me again, but quickly reminded myself of the message I had seen from her to Cain. Why should I care?
Chapter Two
My eyes focused on Cain and then shifted to Dylan, who was leaning back in his chair, exuding confidence and denial. His arms were still crossed and Cain’s anger didn’t seem to have any effect on him. “Yes, Trey. I knew about that, but we took care of it. It wasn’t something you needed to worry about. You’re always so busy running here and there. I wasn’t aware there were so many emails to customer service, but I guess I’ll keep an eye on that next time.” The sarcasm in his voice was apparent.
I flipped the pages of my notes. “I’m sorry, t here’s more. Shall I continue?”
“Actually, I’d like to have a quick discussion with Dylan and Ashley,
in private. Please give us a minute.” Cain looked at me directly, with complete seriousness and determination. I didn’t dare protest. I nodded and left the trio to figure out what the hell was going on.
My father and I joined Reese at the back of the room. “Well, what do you think?” Reese’s gruff voice hardly stayed below a whisper.
“I think Cain was surprised about what he heard, and he seems pretty pissed off. Dylan is just all over the place. I don’t trust him at all.” I glanced toward the table, trying to gauge what they might be talking about. Dylan was now standing, his back straight, chin up, chest out. It was obviously some sort of confrontation.
Dad pulled me back into our conversation. “Jennifer, I need to remind you that these are our clients. They—Mr. Parker—hired us. I would appreciate it if you were a little more considerate and respectful toward them. They aren’t on trial—yet.”
“I’m sorry, Dad. I just…”
“Don’t apologize, Jennifer. Just fix it. I almost get the feeling there is some tension between you and Mr. Parker…and, for that matter, his assistant. You barely acknowledged her.”
I realized I had been letting my emotions get the better of me, but it was difficult to hold back. I stared at Cain from across the room. I hated him so much right now, but I was still so attracted to him. He caught me mid-stare, while he was still in a deep discussion with the others in his group. His mesmerizing blue eyes pulled me in deeper and I had to look away. “Don’t worry, Dad, I’ll take care of it.”
“Jennifer, I’m giving you some leeway, but do
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