It’shorrendouslylong.Lachlan can feel his mind wandering, but when she gets to the NDA and he hears it spoken aloud, he realises she’s come to the part he wants to clarify.
‘You are bound to absolute and indefinite confidentiality regarding all matters pertaining to the Penhalyx family, household operations, business interests, internal disputes and the personal health, conduct, or wellbeing of Julian Penhalyx.You are expressly forbidden to disclose, report or allude to any concern, suspicion, or observation regarding Julian’s physical, psychological, emotional or environmental state to any third party, including but not limited to: medical personnel, law enforcement, emergency services, extended family, corporate representatives or external authorities.All concerns must be directed exclusively to Alistair Penhalyx and only at the frequency he determines appropriate.Any attempt to bypass this chain of communication constitutes immediate breach.Violation of this clause will result in automatic termination, financial penalties at the employer’s discretion, civil action, criminal referral where applicable and permanent blacklisting from the private security sector.Disclosure for any reason, including perceived moral obligation or emergency circumstances, is strictly prohibited.’
Lachlan clears his throat.‘This part,’ he says.
She gestures.‘Go ahead.’
‘I understand the nature of the NDA, given Mr Penhalyx’s status, but this seems to prevent me from taking either of the kids to hospital if they need it.’
‘The Estate has its own exceptional medical facilities.Anything you need will be provided in-house, including medication and emergency care.’
‘Do I need Mr Penhalyx’s permission for that?’
‘Internal care may be administered at your discretion so long as it’s from within the Estate and follows the guidelines of your contract.’
‘What if the children need something we can’t get from here?’
‘We have everything you could possibly need.’
It doesn’t sit right, but then what the fuck does Lachlan know about how rich people live their lives?Clara offered him ashowerwhen he came through the door.Alistair Penhalyx is a household name.Old money rebranded through modern innovation, but he’s notoriously private too.Lachlan’s research turned up almost nothing, just the same polished biography in different fonts.He has no basis for comparison.
Perhaps seeing his hesitation, Clara adds, ‘Mr Penhalyx wants nothing but the best for his son.’
Lachlan nods.‘Understood.Carry on.’
‘And finally, the morality clause.’Clara takes another breath before reading.‘For the duration of employment and for any period thereafter deemed necessary by Mr Penhalyx, you agree that your conduct, decisions, and professional judgement shall align with the interests, directives, and wellbeing of Alistair Penhalyx and no other party.This includes, without limitation, acting in accordance with his stated wishes, inferred expectations, and strategic objectives, whether articulated directly or implied through circumstance.You acknowledge that loyalty to Mr Penhalyx supersedes any personal conviction, moral hesitation, or ethical objection.In situations involving conflict of duty, conscience, or competing obligations, Mr Penhalyx’s authority shall be recognised as paramount.You further agree to conduct yourself in a manner that reflects unwavering allegiance.Any demonstration of divided loyalty, hesitancy, independent judgement contrary to Mr Penhalyx’s preferences, or communication with parties deemed adversarial to him, will constitute breach.Voluntas mea in carne scribitur.Quod tactum est, meum fit.Quod meum est, aeternum manet.Sigillo sanguinis confirmatur.Ita fiat.Ita maneat.In signing, you acknowledge that loyalty is not symbolic.It’s binding, active, and enforceable.’
He’s already read the whole thing but hearing it spoken aloud really is something.He doesn’t remember there being whatever that other language was.‘I’m sorry, what was that last part?’Lachlan skips to the end of his copy, but can’t find it anywhere.
‘Legacy language,’ the lawyer explains smoothly.‘The Penhalyx family has used the same contractual framework for decades.Some ceremonial phrasing remains in the older drafts, I believe.’
‘Right.’
All three of them look at him.
‘So, Lachlan,’ Clara says.‘Good to go?’
‘What if I had amendment suggestions?’
‘The contract will not be amended further,’ the lawyer says calmly.‘To restructure it at this stage would take months of legal review, and Mr Penhalyx is under no obligation to delay for a candidate who remains uncertain about the terms.We had thousands of applications for this post, Mr Tanner.’
Lachlan faithfully promised his cousin he wouldn’t sign without putting forth the amendments she wrote out for him, but the truth is that half a million a year is too much to refuse given the situation with their family.
He’s signed himself away before, anyway.Might as well do it again.
‘OK, sure.I’ll sign.’
‘Perfect.’Clara Barnes hands him a pen.Lachlan Tanner puts his signature on the fresh copy slid across Alistair Penhalyx’s desk to him, not folded or creased, like his copy.When it’s done, the lawyers whip it away.‘You can start today, yes?’
‘Yeah, that’s fine.’He’d already told her in the interview he would.Lachlan has been living out of a motel the last two months.
‘Shall we send for your things?’
‘I don’t need anything.’
‘You understand that this position is live-in?’
‘I do.’
