I didn't know what he was referring to, but I had a feeling Josh had been filling his head with bullshit in his defense of what he'd done. I shook my head and blocked DeVille's way out, intent on telling him how wrong he was about Emma.
"What happened with her and Josh had nothing to do with any problem Emma has in social areas. In fact, I'd say she isn't lacking at all in anything I'd consider social areas. Regardless, she had a problem with him making advances toward her because she's seeing someone else. I heard her tell him that myself. So whatever you've been told by my partner, I'm telling you it didn't happen that way. Emma is not to blame for anything."
Again, DeVille smiled and nodded. "I always enjoy hearing employers defend their employees, even former employees. Your comments will help me place her with someone else, and I can assure you that they will help her move into an even better pay scale."
I hated hearing that Emma would be working with anyone else, but now he'd sweetened the deal for her and she'd be getting paid more. Maybe if I offered more he'd let her stay here with me.
"I'd be happy to offer to pay her more. Just tell me how much and I can match it."
Mr. DeVille patted me on the shoulder and shook his head. "I want you to know it's all because of you that her work will be worth more money from now on. First, you told me about the extenuating circumstances that required her to leave a day early, and now you've shown me that you think she's worth far more than before. You certainly do value her work, don't you? I'll be sure to tell the next employer about that."
"Why won't you just let her come back here to work for more money? It's got to be more paperwork for you to place her with another company. Let me save you the time and effort. I'll increase her salary. Just tell me how much and I'm fine with it."
Again, he shook his head. "I can't do that. To do so would break the contract I have with you. Just as your side of our deal must pay ten thousand if you break it, so I must do the same if I break it, and I am not a man who gives out thousands of dollars lightly."
"I thought that was only the penalty for Emma. You told me she'd have to pay that if she broke the contract," I said, hopeful I'd tripped him up on his details.
But no. I hadn't.
"You're correct in saying that she must pay if she refuses to go to where she's assigned tomorrow. However, if you'll check your contract with my company, the same penalty holds if either one of us breaks our deal. These clauses are inserted to ensure everyone remains professional and committed to the contract."
My heart pounded as my mind raced to find a solution to this. Emma felt like my paying for her to get out of her contract would be tantamount to paying her to be my whore. That wasn't what I wanted for her at all, but what other way was there to ensure she could work here with me?
I couldn't bear the idea that she'd go to work for some other man. Emma was mine, and it was about time I stood up for her.
"Fine. Then I'll pay the ten grand to break my contract with you. That will solve this problem. Then I can hire Emma full time and pay her on my own, without you as the middle man. She deserves that, don't you think?"
A strange look of surprise came over his face. "You'd do that for her? For your secretary? She must be very valuable to you, Mr. Tanchen. She will have the choice once she's not under contract with me to decline your offer of employment without my having any ability to help you. That's a risk I fear you may not have taken into consideration. Are you sure you want to pay that amount for someone who isn't even your employee at the moment?"
I didn't have to think twice about my answer. "I'm not paying for Emma. I'm paying a penalty so she doesn't have to. That's it. But I'd like to make one request."
"Insisting she return to her job here isn’t possible. As long as you understand I can’t do that."
"I understand."
"Then what's your request?"
"Don't tell her until tomorrow morning. That's all I ask."
He thought about my demand for a moment and then nodded. "That I can do. I will inform her of her ability to choose wherever she'd like to work without being penalized tomorrow at ten a.m. Remember, though, that I cannot help you if she chooses to stay with my company and go to work somewhere other than here for you. It's a sizable risk, don't you think?"
I stepped back out of his way so he could leave. "No. I'll have the money sent to you. Expect it by end of business today."
"You know, I initially thought your partner was the stronger member of this company, but I think I was wrong, Mr. Tanchen. I hope things turn out the way you want them to, but regardless, I've been impressed by the lengths you've been willing to go for Miss Cooper. Good luck."
As he left, I hurried back to my office to grab my phone and keys. I needed more than luck to get Emma back. I needed to be the man who could stand up for her when it counted.
And I needed her to know I did it because I was crazy about her.
Chapter Nine
Emma
I handedTia a glass of wine and took a sip out of my own. Normally, I wouldn't have been a fan of day drinking at two in the afternoon, but after the week I'd had, I didn't care what society dictated. I'd pretty much jumped the shark on following the rules when I began sleeping with my boss—now ex-boss, but no matter—so what was a little wine in the middle of the day?
"To new beginnings!" she said with a forced cheer I knew was intended to help me get out of my funk.
"New beginnings," I repeated with a smile.