Gregory lingers at the window. When he eventually joins us, his expression is unreadable. Uneasy. Angry. Something else entirely.
‘Now it’s time for you to do the talking and fill in some missing blanks for me,’ I say cheerily.
Gregory’s jaw clenches and his hands tense, nearly forming fists on top of the table. Angry, then.
‘Of course, what do you need?’ Williams says, his manner in complete contrast to the man beside him. The man whose conceited arrogance is really starting to piss me off, both because he’s behaving like an ungrateful arse and because there’s something completely, undeniably arousing about it.
‘Let’s start with the legals first. When I was reviewing the constitutional documents, I couldn’t help but notice a whole web of connections between the companies that each of you and Mr Lawrence own. I presume you’re aware of these connections?’ I ask rhetorically, knowing that any potential conflict of interests should have been declared in directors’ meetings. ‘The one I’m most interested in is Mr Lawrence’s ownership of Connektions Limited.’
Gregory visibly twitches in his seat.
‘I assume you’re aware that Connektions Limited is a majority shareholder of Sea People International Inc.?’
My question is directed to Gregory but Williams answers. ‘Yes. We are aware of that.’
Irritation drives me to bite down on my gums.
What a supercilious prick he is! I’m pleased I had myself off over him because at least the CEO in my imagination was ruggedly handsome and attentive. At least he gave me something.
‘I don’t understand,’ I say, failing to hide my frustration. ‘Sea People International is very profitable. How could Mr Lawrence think it would be in his company’s best interests to sell? I find that difficult to comprehend when the intention is for you to buy it and break it up.’
‘The offer’s too good to turn down,’ Gregory says through gritted teeth. ‘There are numerous reasons why a company would sell up. It might want to realise capital. It might want to throw in the towel.’
‘But that isn’t the case here,’ I say, unable to stop my tone from rising to confrontational. ‘It’s Lawrence’s money, in any event, and he obviously isn’t looking to throw in the towel. And this other man, Mr Pearson, he owns 24 per cent of Sea People. Who is he and what does he think about the sale?’
Gregory rises from his chair abruptly, thrusting it back against the wall with a bang that echoes in the room and startles me into silence. He storms towards the window and jams his hands into his trouser pockets. His back is strong, his calves pushed back, his hips flexed forward. He exudes authority beyond his thirty years.
‘The business is worth more as a going concern and everything I’ve told you in the last two hours shows you that, if you didn’t know already. Forgetting Lawrence and Mr Pearson for a moment, it doesn’t make commercial sense for you to pay more than the company’s worth to buy it and sell it off in pieces. The assets are individually worth nothing by comparison to the trading company.’
Gregory faces me, the sinews of his neck taut. I want to leap for him and pull my fingers through his hair. I want to bite his angry lips and get lost in his touch.
‘I instruct you to be my lawyer, not my business advisor. When I need help making commercial decisions from a girl who thinks she can question me because she once read corporate law, I’ll let you know.’
‘I’m not trying to—’ I clear my throat and check my rising tone. ‘I’m not trying to tell you how to run a business, Gregory, but something’s off. You seem to resent this company yet you’re desperate to take control of it. You know the maths doesn’t add up. Basically, you want to throw money away. I don’t know who Mr Pearson is but I can’t see why Lawrence would want you to go through with this.’ I take a deep breath and try to control my charged emotions. Somewhere in my head, the line between my job and legal sense is blurring with an irrational, personal need to protect this man and his wealth. ‘You’re right. I’m just your lawyer and if you tell me to make this deal happen, I guess I have to do that. But something doesn’t feel right and I’d like to know what it is. I need to know this deal is above board.’
He takes a step towards me, everything about him purposeful, commanding.
‘Why are you really doing this, Gregory?’
He’s looking down on me, despite my high heels. ‘My motivation isn’t your concern.’
I try to stay focused, but when my words form, they’re heavy, husky even. ‘Why do I get the sense I could be putting my entire career on the line and you don’t have the decency to tell me what for?’
He takes another step towards me and his eyes burn into mine. He’s still but for the twitching muscle in his jaw. Seconds pass as we stand face to face, neither of us blinking.
‘Excuse me, I need to make a call.’ He strides out of the room, slamming the door behind him, leaving me feeling like he just left me alone in my bed, naked and vulnerable but wanting more.
Williams pulls his interlaced fingers through his tousled hair and audibly exhales. I daren’t look at him for fear my face might betray my façade. I stand in the same spot, unmoving, completely dumbfounded.
‘What just happened?’
Williams gestures for me to take a seat and tops up my coffee. ‘He wouldn’t let you do anything to jeopardise your job. Trust me, that’s just about the last thing he’d want.’
I need to clear my head. Here I was worried that I could fall for a client and ruin my career by losing him. Now, I’m more concerned that very same client could ruin my career if I stick around. Yet every bone in my body is telling me to trust him.
Gregory returns as I bring my coffee to my lips and I halt, my cup mid-air, waiting for the next onslaught of his temper.
He drops his phone into his inside pocket and slowly resumes his position at the table, leaning back in his seat, crossing one foot over his opposite thigh and watching me through narrowed eyes.
