“Harrison, have you and Miss Thompson patched things up yet?”
Everyone at Vaughn Enterprises had witnessed how Gemma had just gone after Selene, and how Selene, in turn, treated Harrison. The shareholders saw it all
Some of them had already started trying to talk sense into Gemma.
“Did you see Chairman Winston and Dr. Sable personally come down to greet Selene? And you–how could you treat her like that just now?”
The shareholders were baffled by Gemma’s behavior. One of thern all but wished he could take Gemma’s place, just to be Selene’s mother–in–law himself.
“She’s the one who looked down on me first!” Gemma huffed, recalling the way Selene had just looked at her. The memory still made her furious. She didn’t feel she’d done anything wrong–if anything, she felt aggrieved on her own behalf.
“I am her mother–in–law!”
“You were her mother–in–law,” a shareholder corrected, not missing a beat.
“Selene was married to my son for seven years. Isn’t there a saying about a teacher for a day being like a father for life? Well, I was her mother–in–law for seven years–she ought to show me some respect! She’s the one who insisted on raising
hell and demanded a divorce from Harrison.”
The old woman spat on the floor. “Raised out in the sticks, that country girl. Seven years, and she still doesn’t have a lick of manners.”
The shareholders all wore varying degrees of disapproval. “Selene is a regular guest at the Summit Forum now. Do you really want to drag Mr. Vaughn down with you and get both of you blacklisted?”
But Gemma just scoffed. “Chairman Winston was probably just being polite…”
Seeing there was no reasoning with her, the shareholders turned their attention to Felicity, who’d been standing off to the side.
One of them gave a cold, stern warning. “Miss Felicity, could you please try not to cause any trouble for Harrison?”
Another shareholder eyed her with clear distaste. “Miss Felicity, you’re not even in business. What are you doing here, anyway? Who let you in?”
Felicity puffed up, completely unapologetic. “Harrison brought me.
09-21
And just like that, the shareholders turned their fire back on Harrison,
“Why didn’t you offer the CTO position to Selene? And last week did you even bother meeting her for dinner, or try to mend things at all?”
“From the looks of it, Harrison didn’t manage to win Miss Thompson over last week. Otherwise, she wouldn’t be treating him this way now!”
As the criticisms flew, Harrison’s handsome features darkened further with every word, his expression growing almost thunderous.
“I simply don’t think Selene is qualified to be CTO,” he insisted, holding his ground. He was thinking of the company’s long–term interests–at least, that’s what he told himself.
Felicity, baffled, piped up from the side. “What’s a CTO?”
Gemma shot her a withering look. “Chief Technology Officer. The person in charge of all the company’s tech projects and teams.’
Felicity had studied business administration in college, but she’d barely attended any classes; her degree from a private college was little more than a piece of expensive paper.
“So which is more important–the CTO, or the CEO?”
Gemma pursed her lips. The question was so dumb it almost hurt, but she’d never pass up a chance to brag about her son.
“Obviously Harrison’s role is bigger. He’s the CEO–the top decision–maker at Vaughn Enterprises. The CTO only handles the tech side of things.”
Felicity grinned. “But Selene only has a bachelor’s degree, right? I remember that even for regular employees at Vaughn Enterprises, you need at least a master’s–everyone except the cleaning staff.”
Gemma muttered under her breath, “Even the housekeepers at our estate have college degrees. Selene was only ever fit to be a maid in our family.”
But as the shareholders continued pressing Harrison, neither Gemma nor Felicity could get another word in
One shareholder laid it out for Harrison. “After the evaluation, we all agree–Selene is the top candidate for CTO. Do you realize how many firms and research institutions, both here and abroad, are desperate to recruit her right now?”
“She’s your ex–wife, Harrison. If you can’t take advantage of that connection, who
can?”
09:41 1
Chapter 161
Harrison took a deep breath. Everyone present had just seen Selene walk through the golden doors at Chairman Winston’s personal invitation.
Even the reporters barred from the reception would soon find out that Selene was one of only twenty guests allowed inside–one of the most distinguished.
Once she stepped out again, the spotlight on her would be even brighter than when she’d won the math competition.
“Fine,” Harrison said at last. “I’ll offer her the CTO position.”
It was a key role in the company, and once Selene started, he’d make sure to guide her personally.
Relieved, the shareholders finally let up.
“Harrison, couples shouldn’t hold grudges overnight. She’s still your ex–wife. Just win her back!”
“Mr. Vaughn, you have to put in some effort–Miss Thompson’s still holding a grudge because you haven’t tried hard enough.”
One shareholder clapped him on the shoulder with a knowing grin. “If a woman’s upset, just take her to bed–that’s the fastest way to fix things! I believe in you, man!”
Others chimed in, offering their own brand of advice. “Just show her a little passion. There’s no woman out there you can’t win over if you really put your back into it!”
Harrison’s brow furrowed. He had no interest in sleeping with Selene.
He’d sworn never to lose himself in love and desire again. When he was young and reckless, he’d indulged, gotten hopelessly hooked on Selene, and breaking free had felt like tearing his own soul apart.
He would never let himself fall for that woman again.
It was no different than an addiction–one he was determined never to taste again.
09:41
