Chapter 5: Admitting The Truth

Thea stared up at Ash, gaping like a fish out of water for a few moments as she tried to compose herself enough to answer the demand. She cleared her throat as she sat back up, a challenge on her features as she stood, nearly face to face with Ash now as she crossed her arms.

“I am a secretary Mr. Wynters, it is no fault of mine if their company had run into the ground after I had left. They didn’t know how to run a business properly, and I saw the mistakes before it was too late to get out. Thus I moved from job to job, but…-” She was cut off from explaining any further by Ash who chuckled and walked around the desk, sitting back down in his chair.

“But you ended up at more failing businesses? You expect me to believe that?” He questioned but cut her off right before she could answer. “You have been at five businesses similar to mine in the past, and all have sunk within the last five years. That is one business per year. Just enough time to make some waves don’t you think?” Ash mused, Thea couldn’t believe what she was hearing from her current boss. She had to think of something quick before he caught wind of what she was doing with his business exactly.

“I don’t know what kind of person you think I am Mr. Wynters, but I do not appreciate the insinuation that I purposely caused those companies to fail. And as a matter of fact, my name is Thea. But they had always called me Tia or something similar to that. I never bothered to correct them.” She huffed irritability. “My duties are to this current company, and if you had asked before making these assumptions, I would’ve been able to tell you the truth. I have never purposely caused them to fail.”

Ash eyed her warily for a few moments, knowing the conversation would get nowhere if this continued, so he decided to try a different route. “What exactly made the businesses fail?” He questioned as he looked up at her.

“Mismanagement, and they were exposed for the frauds that they were. As most businesses that are run and have multiple chains, they are not the greatest to their employees. But, they also had hidden agendas outside of the office that caused their downfall. No one wants to support a mafia leader Mr. Wynters.” Thea stated swiftly as though she had rehearsed it a dozen times over.

“And you’re positive you had no help in the downfall?” He asked one more time, a resolute expression settled onto Thea’s features.

“I’m absolutely positive. I’ve had no help in the downfalls. I know nothing about it other than what was placed in newspapers after I had quit the companies. Please refrain from asking me anything like that again, or digging into my personal life. I do not take kindly to those who purposefully look for fault in their employees.” Thea hissed at him, a chuckle spilling from his lips as he merely shook his head in response.

“You’ve made things perfectly clear with me Ms. Veryne.” Ash responded as he waved a hand in her direction. “Dismissed, I’d rather continue this discussion another day, as I have a meeting to attend to.” He stated as Thea glared at him from across the desk.

“Actually, we won’t ever be having this discussion again Mr. Wynters, I’d expect you to respect my personal life just as much as I’d respect yours.” Thea snorted as she stood and walked out of the office, his wolf growling at him to go get her and apologize for the way he had brushed her off. But he ignored his instincts for the time being. He couldn’t do anything about the mating bond, he had wanted to find his mate, but not until he was fully settled in life and ready to find her.

‘I don’t think you actually respect my privacy.’ Is what ran through his head as he watched her leave, a long sigh had come from him. Perhaps he was wrong, maybe she wasn’t the one that was trying to bring him down and he had dug into her personal and past work life a bit too much. But everything that lined up was a bit too… Coincidental for him to let it fully go either.

“Hello.” He greeted when he had answered the video call for the next meeting that was scheduled with the other alphas that were running businesses in the neighboring territories.

“Hello Ash, we’ve… Recently been hearing some rumors, and wanted to start off this meeting with some… Concerning news first before we delve into the good news. Have you heard anything from your beta regarding an omega female that’s been taking down businesses one by one?” The oldest alpha questioned first, one known as Jayce by the others.

“Yes, my beta Liam had brought it to my attention last night.” Ash responded as he saw the look on Jayce’s face change to one of worry.

“We’ve heard about your recent hire… An omega female with a questionable history… Now, my beta is working on trying to gather more information about her as your web designer already has her on your business website as one of the other secretaries… But from what I understand, all the businesses she’s worked at in the past have closed right after she had quit. Which I’m sure you’re aware of, raises some red flags for the rest of us.”

“I know Jayce. I’ve discussed it with her, and it does have me concerned. Thank you for looking into the matter. But… She’s a hard one to get information on.” Ash responded thoughtfully but a long sigh had come from Jayce.

“The rest of us need to tread carefully, if you fall, we fall with you.” Jayce stated simply with a shake of his head before he glanced at the others on screen who were nodding in agreement. “Now… Onto other matters…”

Ash could barely pay attention the whole meeting, his thoughts drifting back to Thea. No doubt the threat to them that she had promised to be when he first met her. But, he needed to be smart about his next moves. He wasn’t going to let himself be played like a pawn.