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"Yes. She was actually chatting with Alfred before I went back over to them. I think she went to clear her head. She's upset."
I squared my shoulders, putting down the glass of champagne. "Why?"
Sonya pressed her lips together. "Alfred told me he made it clear that once he takes over, he won't keep her around. He's not happy that she's in a relationship with you."
"What the fuck? That's none of his business." Why hadn’t Meredith told me that?
"I don’t like how he's handled the whole situation either."
Fuck this. I wasn't going to allow it to happen. Meredith worked hard. She deserved her job. Hell, she deserved far more than that. She wasn't going to lose it just because Alfred didn't like me. That wasn’t how business was conducted. I was even more disappointed in Alfred than before.
Sonya started to turn away. "Anyway, I'll leave you alone now. I'm rooting for you, by the way. I do like your products and everything you've done for the company over the past years."
"Do you know where Meredith went?"
"No, I honestly don't know. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you," Sonya said before leaving.
This was utter horseshit. My previous good mood had completely evaporated.
I took my phone from my pocket again, calling Meredith once, twice, three times. She didn't answer.
Where is she?
I had no idea how to find her, but I knew exactly what to do next. I was going to talk to Alfred.
There were still a few minutes until the winner would be announced. I caught up with him at the bar. He ordered a gin and tonic. I took another glass of champagne, since I’d left mine at the table.
"Alfred," I said curtly.
He turned around, raising his eyebrows. "Already drinking champagne?”
I cocked a brow. The waiters were circulating with champagne. Everyone was drinking it.
“You’re so sure you’ll win?" he continued. "The rest of us are going to give you a good run for your money. You’re not the hot shit you think you are."
I couldn't believe Alfred was still holding a grudge because my company had a higher market share than his. Usually I'd give him a cutting reply, but tonight my main priority was Meredith. I didn't want to do anything that could affect her situation even more.
"Listen, I’ll cut right to the chase. I heard you've got a problem with Sonya's employee, Meredith?"
He snorted. "Good God, that place is very unprofessional. She already came gossiping to you?"
"I spoke to Sonya, actually."
He shook his head. "She's terribly defensive of that girl."
"That's because Meredith is great at her job, and I don't see why her personal life should get in the way of her continuing to do that job."
“I’m not keen on keeping someone close who’s sleeping with the enemy, so to speak.”
“The enemy? That’s dramatic. There's no reason Meredith should lose her job for something that's personal and doesn’t affect her work. Our relationship has nothing to do with her performance."
He snorted. “That's just like you, Whitley. You like to keep it in the industry, huh? First Esther, and now this poor woman.”
I stared at him. “How do you know Esther?”
“Word gets around. She was the hottest woman at the Coffee Formation event. I can understand Esther, but Meredith? What did you do? Hook up with the poor woman, hoping to get insight into the competition?”
Unbelievable. His insinuation was way off track. I didn’t use people to get my way. Maybe that was how he operated, but not me.
