Saif nodded, his jaw tight.“I was angry last week,” he admitted.“Angry, confused...hurt.I needed time to think.”
“I wasn’t trying to hide Jayla from you,” Jemma said quickly.Her throat tightened.“I didn’t mean to deceive you.”
“All evidence to the contrary,” he said, arching a brow.
She winced but held his gaze.“I truly thought you didn’t want kids.And when you asked about children...I thought you were talking about Jasper.”
His brows lifted slightly at that, his expression shifting from skepticism to something closer to curiosity.He sat back, clearly replaying past conversations.
Jemma sat frozen, watching him think, bracing herself for disbelief or worse—dismissal.
But after a long moment, he exhaled and gave a single nod.
“Let’s go over the business first,” he said, his voice steady again.“We’ll figure out the personal issues...over breakfast.”
Jemma let out a shaky sigh and opened the folder in her lap.Maybe the worst was over.
Maybe.
She handed over the top report.“I canceled our contract with the current factory,” she began, voice gaining strength as she entered more familiar territory.“Per the terms, the cancelation will hold up in court—they notified us they couldn’t meet our new production levels.I’ve already lined up a contract with a larger, more reputable supplier.It’s pricier, but they offer better wages and benefits, which means we’ll get better quality and happier workers.”
Saif glanced through the documents, then nodded for her to continue.
“We’ll maintain the current pricing strategy for this season, but I’m introducing a new capsule collection.”She laid out the design drafts.“These were created in-house by the team.They’re on-trend, low-risk, and could bring in a younger customer base.”
He gave a short nod of approval.
They moved into a rhythm after that.For the next hour, she walked him through the changes she’d implemented, her strategic roadmap, and the hidden issues she’d unearthed within Sinstack Designs.
Midway through the meeting, a young assistant stepped in with a tray—two plates piled high with fluffy eggs, fresh berries, and warm muffins.Coffee followed.The smell alone helped ease the tension in Jemma’s gut.
As she answered Saif’s pointed questions, she found herself relaxing, even eating with something close to enthusiasm.The warmth of the food in her stomach helped, but more than that, the focused, respectful way he was treating her—the way he was listening—steadied her nerves.
Finally, Saif leaned back on the sofa, his arm resting along the top like a king surveying his court.
“What about personnel issues?”he asked, watching her closely.
Jemma pursed her lips, steeling herself, and reached for another file folder.Her fingers trembled slightly, but she kept her voice calm.
“Joannie is the head of our human resources department.”She passed him a document.“I’d like to move her out of Sinstack and into this open role at Overlock.”
She didn’t give him time to respond before sliding another paper across the coffee table.“And Steve—he’s the lead in accounting.I believe he’d be a good fit for this other position, also at Overlock.”
Saif raised a brow.“Why do you want them out?”
Jemma drew in a slow, steadying breath, then exhaled carefully through her nose.She hated this part—confronting suspicion without concrete proof.
“I think Steve helped Mark embezzle money from the company,” she said, her voice quiet but unwavering.“I can’t prove it.Not yet.But I need him out of the way so I can bring in a forensic accountant to do a full audit.”She tapped her pen against the job description.“This role at Overlock doesn’t give him access to company funds.It’s purely analysis.”
Saif’s eyes sharpened as he considered that.“And Joannie?”
Jemma’s shoulders straightened.“I think she’s spying for Mark,” she said bluntly.“I’ve noticed discrepancies—timing of leaks, things she knew that no one else should’ve.The position at Overlock would put her under a director, someone who would monitor her.She wouldn’t have the same influence she does now.”
He was silent for a beat.Then: “You think these are the only two problems?”
“No.”Her answer was immediate, firm.
She stood, stretching her legs as she spoke, one hand pressing to the small of her back.The rich food and long meeting were wearing on her, but motion helped her think.Helped her focus.
