The Trap Of Ace

Read The Trap Of Ace [by Eva Zahan] Chapter 11 – A knock on the door put a break on my non-stop rejecting and selecting the designs from the heap of catalogues. I needed to deliver the final samples to the head designers for the new collection of OC Textiles.

Liza’s blonde head poked through the door.

“Sorry to disturb you, but the meeting is just about to begin. And your presence is required there.”

My brows furrowed. “But I’m just an employee. What’d I do in a board meeting?”

His shoulders lifted. “No idea. The boss’s order.”

Why’d Caleb need me in a board meeting?

Sighing, I nodded. “Alright! I’ll be there in a few.”

“Great! See you there!” With that, she closed the door behind her and left.

I didn’t even have any idea what the meeting was about. Nor did I know what to do there or say. Whatever happens, I just hoped he wouldn’t be there. After yesterday’s confrontation, I’d tried my best to avoid him. But his being the freaking owner of this company didn’t make it easy.

Since Tobis’s revelation about it, I still couldn’t get over the shock. The irony! I’d to work in his company under his orders. And here I was trying to escape him at any cost!

Now i’d this doubt that whatever happened to my job and transfer, he had something to do with it. Maybe it was his influence that Caleb put me in here?

I let out a huff.

I just couldn’t make out what was brewing in his head. It was all so inarticulate.

When I entered the conference room, all entities in three piece suits’ eyes trained on me. The head chair was still vacant and there was no trance of Caleb yet. Flashing a professional smile towards those mostly unfamiliar faces, I found an empty chair right next to the head of the table.

All the other seats were occupied other than the one I took and the one at the other end of the table. And the big bald man seated beside it with a creepy face didn’t encourage me to go there.

Once I took my place, my eyes kept flickering to the door, waiting for the boss to arrive. Because the curious glances those people inside the room sent, made me fidget and uncomfortable.

Though their reactions were legit as it wasn’t a regular thing someone who’s not one of the board members joining the board meeting.

When the door opened, only then did everyone take their interest off of me and stood up as someone…

Achilles Valencian walked in, followed by Caleb and Liza.

I sucked in my breath when his gaze landed on me immediately. Those powerful dominating stormy eyes. The whole room went silent: an effect of the commanding aura he carried with him.

Averting my eyes from him, just as I expected Caleb to come and sit at the head of the table, he changed direction and went to the chair beside that creepy big man. And thus, the head of the table was occupied by the devil himself.

Of course! He was the king of this kingdom. What was I thinking? Now I was regretting not sitting beside that bald man.

Caleb sent his regular sunny smile from across the table which I couldn’t return. I’d just ask him later why he called me here.

At the king’s curt nod, everyone sat down.

“Everyone, I’d like to introduce you to someone who’d be joining in our every board meeting from now on,” spoke his deep voice, when I played with the emeralds of my bracelet. A way to ignore him and the irrational fast beats of my heart due to his close presence. “Meet, Miss. Emerald Hutton, a very special friend of mine. I’d like you all to welcome her in our company.”

My gaze snapped up to him, eyes wide open. What the h**l? I’d be joining board meetings with them? I was just a newcomer employee!

be a pleasure to get to work with you!” I turned to the woman next to me who greeted me

enthusiasm in return. I was too perplexed for that. What the h**l was really

them remained quiet. They seemed

of displeasure etched onto their faces,

shake of everyone’s heads

sure there must be some reason behind the decision you took and we respect it. We’re just… a little surprised, that’s it,” said the man opposite of me, on the right side of him once

your surprise, the better. Now, you all

him as he leaned back in his chair, listening to whatever the members were saying one by one. And when his hand slowly slid to where mine were placed on the table, I jerked

slight crease between his brows told

my hand in front of everyone? The

into a

second. And then the twitch at the corner of his lips made my fists

was too busy showing my displeasure. But a certain topic caught

of concern of how they seemed to have better plans than us in every presentation we’re making in our recent deals. It seems like they exactly know what

about a rival company of ours, some AR industries who were competing in

“What do you have in your

his chair, clearing his throat.

him. It wasn’t more like a statement than a question. His jaw ticked as the bald man nodded his head. “Did you try to find out who

with you first. And we were not sure how

curled into distaste. “You weren’t sure? Is that how you all have been running this company with Mr. Cooper? Now I see

board members’ avoided his

all don’t mind, I’d like to suggest

before the teachers and students back in the college, but talking here before all of them experienced business men professionally,

sharp glare softened as he

speak up, Em. Say whatever you want to say,” Caleb encouraged me from the other

“To find out who’s behind this, we can do a discreet research of the backgrounds and recent activities of the people who’re working directly with these projects? Because irrelevant stuff won’t be able to know much of the presentations to disclose.” When

older man laughed out. “Good idea there, Ms. Hutton. But we can’t just go and start searching everyone’s full history and recent activities. It’ll be too time consuming. And whoever is doing it isn’t a

the word ‘discreet’. Yes, it might be time consuming, but it’ll be for the well-being of the company. Otherwise, I don’t think

course there’s a way,” he argued. “We could just change the whole team instead and appoint only the

head. “Finding them out is an utmost need for us right now. Because if we let it go and don’t do anything about it, it won’t be difficult for the rival company to buy someone else again. An example of what happens to a traitor

in this situation. You don’t need to point out anything.

“I’d like you to start working on this as soon as possible without wasting

“But, Mr. Valencian…”

cutting Mr. Brooks with his icy gaze. “And from next time, keep your attitude in

nodded his

it was good that he supported me, but what’s

with his intense gaze on me most of the time. As if he didn’t come to

finally a clerk interrupted the long

he started distributing them around the table. And when my turn came, I shook my

thanks! I don’t

worries, Miss! I got some tea for you,” he replied, handing me the cup of

How did he even know that I preferred

that I like tea?”

his face threatened to fall as

you for these drinks,” Ace said, cutting him off; his eyes not moving from me. And Gabe didn’t waste a