Jilted Ex-wife Billionaire Heiress

Chapter 58 The Big Fish

Douglas Kay commanded a corner office on the top level of the Paragon office building,

The place looked more like a showroom out of an IKEA catalogue than a place where actual work got done.

The huge oak wood desk was clean and free of paperwork.

Douglas ordered his long-legged secretary to serve coffee.

His wrinkle-free face was slightly bloated, a consequence of the latest Botox injection.

When he wasn't smiling, he looked like a wax figure.

When he did smile, he looked like an old woman.

Darya sipped her coffee and waited for him to come to the point.

Finally, Douglas concluded the pleasantries and stopped beating around the bush. 'As I'm sure you are aware, there have been... rumours surrounding your appointment as Paragon's vice president. I saw your resume. It looks impressive, but not impressive enough to make you the youngest VP in Paragon's history. For starters, you had zero work experience before joining the company.

'So?' Darya raised an eyebrow.

Douglas steepled his fingers, a difficult manoeuvre since his hands were as swollen as his face. 'So, I'm afraid your position is not as secure as you believe. Avery is the president, but this company is not ruled by the voice of one man alone. Before you arrived on the scene, there was another candidate for the vice presidency, someone with more work experience and, frankly, more qualifications

than you.'

Darya set down her coffee cup and looked straight at Douglas. 'You are talking about Sharon Hoyles."

Douglas nodded. 'Yes.'

He glanced towards the closed office door. 'I would like you to reinstate her as the assistant project manager."

'Why?'

Douglas frowned, displeased by her directness. 'Like I said, she's more than qualified for the position."

'Be that as it may, there are others who are just as qualified as her. Besides, the position is already filled, and the appointment is approved by the rest of the team."

Douglas looked straight at Darya. 'So you won't consider my recommendation?'

Darya smiled and returned with a level gaze. 'I didn't realise it was a recommendation. It sounded more like an

order.'

Douglas breathed out heavily. 'I sit on the board of Paragon. I outrank you.'

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Chapter 58 The Big Fish

'If I recall correctly, your role as a director is mostly advisory.' Darya sat straighter.

'As the vice president, I report directly to the president, not you.'

Douglas's face turned crimson.

His chest heaved with the effort of breathing.

'Just because you have Avery on your side doesn't mean you can do whatever you want!' he shouted,

Darya shrugged. 'Avery doesn't practise favouritism. He knows what's best for the company'

'And you think what you are doing is best for the company?'

'I know that if I'm negligent in my work, the board of directors have the right to fire me.' She locked eyes with Douglas. 'But it will be a decision made jointly by the entire board, not by you single-handedly,'

Douglas was caught speechless.

He started wheezing.

The vein in the side of his neck popped.

Darya decided to end the meeting before the man had a heart attack.

She rose to her feet. 'I'm sorry, I can't appoint Sharon as the assistant PM. That decision is out of my hands.'

She left before Douglas could say anything else.

As the door slid shut behind her, she heard the sound of a porcelain cup being smashed to the floor.

Darya strolled away, unconcerned.

The meeting didn't win her an ally, but she got what she wanted-now she knew who was Sharon's backer at

Paragon.

It would be easy to get rid of Sharon when Darya discovered she was taking kickbacks from an outsider, but Darya kept her on as bait to reel in the big fish. The plan worked.

But the removal of a director was beyond her authority.

Thinking of this, Darya called Avery while she was on the way to the basement carpark.

'Hi, Dolly. What's up?' Avery picked up after the third ring.

'You just landed?' Darya heard the characteristic sound of an airport PA announcement in the background. 'Yup. Just picked up my luggage. I'm leaving the terminal right now."

As the president of Paragon, Avery took frequent business trips.

Now that he had someone he trusted as the VP, he spent more than half of his time flying around the world. Darya waited for him to settle into the pre-arranged limousine before telling him about Sharon and Douglas.

Avery's voice was breezy. 'Got it.'

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Darya caught on immediately. 'You already knew about them, didn't you?' Avery chuckled. 'Douglas is not as good an actor as he believes himself to be.' Darya concurred with his opinion. 'He's rather full of himself. If you know he's colluding with outsiders to defraud our company, why didn't you get rid of him?' Patience, dear. I only have twenty-four hours each day. I have to prioritis Douglas is getting on in years. The damage he can do is, well, let's just say very limited. Besides, he's no longer directly involved in the management of the company. I just need some time to find a replacement for him before kicking him off the

board.

'Okay, I'll leave it to you then.

"You did well, the way you handled Sharon and Douglas. I'm proud of you, Dolly.'

Darya was glad Avery was thousands of miles away at the moment, so he couldn't see the blush on her cheeks. It's our family's company, right? I just want what's best for Paragon.'

'Speaking of the company, I need you to do something for me if you have the time.'

'Sure. What is it?"

You know we have a gaming resort under the group. It's-'

'It's a casino.' Darya rolled her eyes. 'Let's call a spade a spade.'

Avery smiled. Fine. We have a casino under our management. I'd like you to take

a look. There's something wrong with the accounts I received from them last

month.'

"You suspect embezzlement?'

"That's up to you to decide. I'll forward you the accounts later.'

'Okay.' Darya mentally flipped through her schedule. 'I happen to have some time

tonight. It's a short trip.' 'Bring two bodyguards with you. The place attracts all

kinds of people."

'Got it.'

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