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

her my enthusiasm in return. I was too perplexed for that. What the h**l was really going into his

of them remained quiet. They seemed to share the exact bewilderment like

displeasure etched onto their faces, great Achilles Valencian barked

everyone’s heads

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

surprise, the better. Now, you all may proceed with

leaned back in his chair, listening to whatever the members were saying one by one. And when his hand slowly slid to

slight crease between his brows

hand in front of everyone? The nerve of

into

And then the twitch at the corner of his lips made my

meeting as I was too busy showing my displeasure. But a

seemed to have better plans than us in every presentation we’re making in our recent deals. It seems like they exactly know what will be our deficiency and they will work right on there,” stated the bald man beside Caleb, a frown set

of ours, some AR industries who

at the side. “What do you

shifted in his chair, clearing his

someone between us leaking information out?” He finished for him. It wasn’t more like a statement than a question. His jaw ticked as

discuss it with you first. And we were not

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

board members’ avoided his furious

you all don’t

presentations before the teachers and students back in the college, but talking here before all

as he gave me

need to ask permission to speak up, Em. Say whatever you want to say,” Caleb encouraged me from the other side of

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 no one said anything and listened to whatever I’d to say, I continued. “That way, if we find someone

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

why I said 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

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

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

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

like you to start working on this as soon

“But, Mr. Valencian…”

discussions. You’ll do what my… Ms. Hutton says!” He sneered, cutting Mr. Brooks with his icy gaze. “And from next time, keep your attitude in

nodded his head, shifting into his

that he supported

when needed. Even that was difficult with his intense gaze on me most

the

he started distributing them around the table. And when

I

got some tea for you,” he replied, handing me the

surprised look. How did he even know that I preferred

do you know that I like tea?”

smile of his face threatened to fall as his eyes flickered around.

drinks,” Ace said, cutting him off; his eyes not moving from me. And Gabe didn’t waste a second before hurrying out of