Chapter 6 - THE OFFER SHE DIDN'T EXPECT
The following morning, Nina arrived at Moretti Imports expecting to be fired.
Margaret was waiting beside the elevators.
Her expression was unreadable.
"Nina."
Nina swallowed.
"Yes?"
"Mr. Moretti wants to see you."
Of course he did.
Nina followed her upstairs.
Adrien stood beside the conference room window.
Vivien sat at the table.
A folder lay between them.
Adrien turned.
"Miss Whitmore."
"Sir."
He gestured toward the chair.
"Sit."
Nina obeyed.
Vivien opened the folder.
"We've reviewed your credentials."
Nina felt her stomach tighten.
"Am I being terminated?"
Adrien looked surprised.
"No."
She blinked.
"Oh."
Vivien smiled.
"We'd like to offer you a temporary consulting contract."
Nina stared.
"For what?"
"Independent linguistic review of the Genoa transaction."
Adrien leaned forward.
"You caught something our translation service missed."
Nina hesitated.
"I only reviewed three clauses."
"Exactly."
He studied her.
"Which means I want to know what else they hid."
Nina looked at the contract.
Then at him.
"Will I be allowed to disagree with you?"
Adrien's mouth twitched.
"I suspect you will whether I allow it or not."
She smiled despite herself.
Then grew serious.
"I have conditions."
Vivien raised an eyebrow.
Adrien leaned back.
"Let's hear them."
Nina took a breath.
"Independent authority to flag concerns. Written compensation terms. And no expectation that I hide findings to protect anyone's reputation."
Adrien studied her.
Then nodded.
"Agreed."
Nina stared.
"Just like that?"
He smiled faintly.
"Miss Whitmore, you saved me from signing a disastrous contract."
May you like
His expression hardened.
"I would be a fool to punish you for telling me the truth."
