AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“True.” She inclined her head. “But it’s also the end of the fiscal year. There’s a lot of work to be done and with fewer employees than normal already.”
“So you’re advising against it?”
Frantically she shook her head. “No.”
“Then…?”
Meeting his gaze, she exhaled. “Are you actually serious about this?”
Was the idea so novel that it appeared to be ludicrous? “I thought it would please you.”
“It does, but…” Suspiciously she narrowed her gaze. “You don’t do anything that’s not self-serving.”
Frost winced. After what he’d told her about his determination to restore the family fortune and good name, the remark took him aback. “I assure you; this idea was anything but.”
“So you’d allow everyone to go home tonight and not expect them back until after the new year?”
“Correct.”
“What about the fiscal losses?”
“More than made up for in company morale and employees who return reengaged. Or so I’d assume that would be your argument?”
“And still…”
“You—and the rest of the company—see me as an ogre. But have you, even once, talked to the people who’ve left?” He’d fucking had enough of her judgment. “Do you have any idea as to the size of their severance packages?”
Her lips parted. In other circumstances, he might have found that charming. But her shock didn’t soothe his savage beast.
“Or our outplacement services? We’ve helped employees find new employment opportunities.”
“You…?”
“I’m not fucking with your head for my own amusement, Ms. Robbins.”
“I didn’t mean to imply—”
“You most certainly did.” He wanted to drag her to her feet, yank her against him, and kiss her senseless until she begged for his touch. “Turning around a company takes a lot of damn work… But if you are against the idea of us closing for a week, we’ll simply move on. Work until five on Christmas Eve and take off Christmas Day. See everyone before eight a.m. on Thursday morning.”
“No.” Frantically she shook her head. “I think your plan is more than generous.”
“Do you?” And the fact he hadn’t just handed out pink slips and said “fuck it” to the people he’d laid off? “Handle the details.” He shoved the checks across the desk to her.
“I…” She leaned forward to snatch them up, then stood and pivoted, striding toward the exit.
Then, at the doorway, she stopped and looked back. “Thank you, on behalf of all employees who will enjoy time with their loved ones.”
Frost offered a curt nod.
With his palms pressed together, he watched her go.
Where the hell had the ridiculous idea to shut down come from? The board would say he’d lost his mind. Of course they’d do it from their holidays on their yachts and private islands.
In the adjoining room, her fingers clacked against a keyboard. And he couldn’t deny the truth. He’d made the decision because he was besotted enough to want to make her happy.
But since he was already making ridiculous financial decisions, he called the office manager of his own business and told her that he was closing that business as well.
Her reaction was similar to Kaylee’s.
