Chapter 7: Option Two

“Good morning Martha.” Ash greeted as he strolled into the office the next morning after dismantling Thea’s attempt to take him down. A thrill had run through him when she had finally decided to make her move and while it was a decent attempt, it would take a lot more than that.

“Good morning Mr. Wynters!” Martha chimed cheerily as she offered him a cup of coffee. “Just the way you like, I figured after yesterday’s… Disaster with Thea being fired you would need it.” Martha sighed, she reminded Ash of a grandma in a way, caring when needed but… Definitely could use some work when it came to how to work the front desk. But she was the perfect coverup for what was going on behind the scenes.

“Thank you Martha, the gesture is appreciated. Though there is some business I wish to discuss with you…” Ash started as he motioned Martha to follow him as he walked up the steps to his office. “After the outburst that Ms. Veryne had yesterday, I’d appreciate it if we could keep her out of the office… If I’m reading her correctly, no doubt she will want to come back here and talk to me.”

“Of course, with the way she was feeling, she probably still is angry about what happened. But you did the right thing. I’ll return to my desk now if there’s nothing else needed?” Martha questioned but Ash dismissed her with a wave of his hand.

“Nothing else needed Martha, thank you.” He said as he took a seat at his desk, watching as she made her way back downstairs. A sigh came from him as he got to work, emailing the other business partners he had to inform them that his business had an attempted security breach and to keep an eye on their companies bank accounts. No doubt the others would want to have a meeting with him later once the dust finally settled.

***

THEA’S POV

Annoyance and anger still seemed to linger into the following day as Thea stormed back towards Ash’s building, after Lily had called and informed her of the group's failure, she had put them on probation and brought in two others that had seemed just as capable. Though she supposed she would see whether or not that would hold true as she pushed the doors open. A gasp came from Martha as the older woman stood and rushed over to her.

“We were told not to let you back in this building, Thea.” Martha whispered, her gaze darting around as though Ash himself would appear out of thin air.

“I don’t care about that Martha.” She snarled as she stormed past the old secretary, heading right for the steps but Martha had seemed intent on stopping her as she appeared in front of her again.

“You can’t go up there, Thea. It’s not safe.” Martha tried to argue, an annoyed huff leaving Thea as she pushed past her and headed up the stairs.

“Martha. I will give you a warning. Do not try to stop me. I am going to talk to him whether he wants me to or not.” She hissed as she glanced over her shoulder at the older woman, watching as her shoulders slumped in defeat as she made her way back to the desk. She watched her for a moment longer, noting how Martha had picked up the phone and was talking animatedly into it, no doubt telling Ash who was on their way up to pay him a visit today.

Thea didn’t even bother knocking on the door, she didn’t have time for formalities as she pushed her way inside the office. Effectively interrupting the meeting that he was in no doubt as she slammed her hands on the desk, growling as she stared at him.

“I will have to call you back Jayce. Thank you for the concern, but I think I have things handled here. I will update you.” Ash spoke calmly as he then left the call and cleared his throat. “Have a seat Ms. Veryne.”

“No! You…” She huffed as she stared at him. “What is it with you! The plan we’ve used before has worked flawlessly on everyone else, but when it comes to you, you manage to dismantle our plan and you sent the virus back to our computer! How!?”

“Easy. I have someone who is very well versed in technology to handle child’s play like that. While the other companies you’ve dealt with think they are equipped, I can assure you, they are not.” Ash chuckled softly. “Your friend’s computer will be restored in about forty eight hours, though I suggest not trying anything like that again.”

“In… Two days…” Thea stared at him dumbfounded as Ash nodded in response. “So, for the next two days she is unable to use her computer… The one we rely on…”

“Yes.” He responded as he then glanced towards the door, she glanced briefly over her shoulder and noted that she could see Martha through the glass wall around the door.

“Ms. Veryne, I suggest you leave before I have to call security to come get you. I do not have the time nor the energy to be wasted today talking to you.” Ash sighed in annoyance as he rubbed his temples.

“F*ck you. You will have the energy to deal with me! Why are you doing this? And don’t act like you don’t know! I have intel from a lot of people who are telling me what you are doing and what kind of moves you are making!” She hissed as she pointed a finger at him.

“You have no clue what kind of person I am. You don’t know the motives behind my actions, nor the people I am helping. I suggest you fact check your resources first before trying to take down someone like me that you claim to hate so much.” Ash stated simply as he ignored the fact that she was practically steaming with the way she was looking at him. “Good day Ms. Veryne.”

Thea didn’t get another word in as security had showed up and took hold of her arms. “Your time here is done.” They growled as they led her away, the most she could do was stick her middle finger up at him as laughter echoed behind her.

With another plan already forming in her mind, she allowed herself to be led outside and right back to her car, she would have his company one way or another.