The Reclaimed Rose (Annalise and Steven)

Eric retrieved the project proposal from his office and returned with the paperwork, which he duly handed to Otis. "I've gone over the proposal."

Otis asked in surprise, "Shouldn't I be discussing this with Zane?"

Eric cocked a brow. "Why would Mr. Huxham personally discuss the details of a small-scale project like this with you?"

Otis countered, "Why wouldn't he?"

Taking his seat, Eric pointed out sardonically, "Can you imagine how busy Mr. Huxham will be if he must attend trivial project meetings such as this one every day? He wouldn't have enough time to sort out his work even if he had 48 hours in a day!

"He's a busy man, and if you aren't interested in continuing this discussion, we're happy to hand the project over to someone else. We're not exactly dependent on you."

Otis scowled. "I see..."

"Great," Eric replied curtly. "Let's begin, shall we?"

silent instruction and took the seat beside Eric. "Could

out of my job scope," Eric answered flatly. "Kindly refrain from

like Eric, even if he was only

even bothered with such

a child with another man. What's there to like about her? With Mr. Huxham's looks and money, I'd think he'd be into someone

look. "So why doesn't he marry

he thought she was a decent woman. She was a good comic artist

ensnared him through unsavory means,

would have been in a romantic relationship long ago. He said acerbically, "As far as know, Annalise hasn't done anything

you want. It's not as

"Mr. Jamison, shall we proceed with the negotiations? If not, I'm afraid I have to ask you to leave. I've got a

that moment, Otis understood that Eric was

thing for his plan to have Yelena seduce Zane to fail, but losing out on a business opportunity in the process would be a shame. As such, he snapped at Yelena, "Shut up. We can