Today, she was working in my office, as usual, and seated across my mahogany table. Her hair was tied back with a clip as she helped file some documents.
Behind my laptop screen, I observed she was engrossed in a particular file, one she’d been reading for the past ten minutes now. Every now and then, I’d glance up at her, trying to understand why she was so interested in that document.
“Hmm.” She stroked her chin, leaning back in her chair.
Although my eyes were fixed on the lit screen on my table, I could still feel her gaze on me. I tried to pretend not to notice, but she wouldn’t stop staring.
“What?” I barked without bothering to look in her direction.
“Hey, chill, okay? You don’t have to bite my head off,” she said, her voice calm but dripping with defiance. “I’m just trying to point out a legal loophole that could save one of your businesses.”
I didn’t respond.
“Fine, I’ll just keep it to myself then,” she said. Then, she added under her breath, “You have more than enough money to get yourself out of tax complications anyway.”
Now that one caught my attention.
I paused, my eyes shifting toward her. However, by now, she’d already gone back to flipping through the files in front of her.
“What do you mean by ‘tax complications’?” I asked, my curiosity piqued.
She hesitated for a while. “So now you’re interested, huh?”
My face twisted into a faint scowl. “Are you gonna answer me or not?”
“Not with that tone, I’m not,” she stated bluntly without looking at me.
I locked my jaw, knowing that she wasn’t going to say another word if I didn’t ditch the authority in my voice. Usually, I’d choose my ego and just let this slide. But I was way too interested in this fuss about tax complications to turn a blind eye.
My eyelids closed for a second as I drew a deep breath, summoning the courage to dance to her tune. Then I asked, as politely as I could, “What did you want to tell me about tax complications in one of my businesses?”
She raised her head and met my gaze, a small, knowing smirk tugging at the corners of her lips. “For the record, I’m only answering you because you asked nicely.”
I swear to God, I’m gonna….
I swallowed my pride and clenched my jaw as I listened to her. This had better be worth my time; if not, all hell would break loose.
“You see this clause right here?” She leaned in, tapping her finger on a page of a document. “It contradicts the annex.”
I reclined in my chair, watching her closely.
She continued, “The annex references Article 217 of the Tax Code.”
“And?”
“And that article only applies if the subsidiary is registered to an operational entity.” She paused, letting her words sink in. “This one isn’t.”
I stroked my jaw, paying rapt attention.
She continued, “Instead, it’s listed as a consulting shell. What does that mean? Simple. It means the tax authority could argue misclassification.”
I stayed quiet, refusing to show how impressed I was by her analysis.
“Do you even understand what I’m saying, or am I speaking Latin?” she asked, clearly confused by my silence.
“What are the consequences?” I asked.
She scratched her forehead, flipping to the next page. “Well, best case, you pay penalties. Worst case….” She clicked her tongue rapidly. “They freeze the account.”
