Chapter 7 Proposal

• "Absolutely, daughter. I want you to take that trip with your friends. You deserve it. You're a good daughter. And my favorite... I can't stand living with the memory of that look of disappointment you had when we ruined your plans..."
• "Hey, it was your boss who ruined them," she interrupted, a big smile on her face.
• "Even so, I want to make it up to you. So, you're going to take my credit card, and you're going to use it, got it? Spend as much as you want."
• "It's not necessary, Dad. I have my savings."
• "Please, my love, do it for me, and have fun," he insisted, caressing her hand with his thumb on the table.
• "For you... I love you, Dad!" she squealed as she got up from her chair and hugged her big father with all her strength, extremely grateful for his gesture.
• "I love you too. Go. Have fun."
• "Thank you, thank you, thank you!" Excited, Hank and Noel accompanied her to check in her luggage again, ready to board the plane.
• "Well, Vic, I guess we'll see each other in a couple of weeks. Watch out for the Europeans," Noel said, bidding her goodbye once the paperwork was done.
• "Of course. I plan to just be a boring tourist."
• "Daughter, your brother talked to Jackson. They are all very excited to see you. So, when you're at the airport, if you don't see them, contact them immediately."
• "Yes, Dad. Don't worry."
• "Let's go, Vic. I'll walk you."
• Saying goodbye again to her father, and from a distance to her little sister, who was with her mother further back, she walked with her brother.
• "Victoria..." Noel murmured when they were far enough away from their dad. "What's wrong? You look very serious."
• "I'm sorry. I... I didn't think her animosity was so deep."
• "She doesn't hate you, she's just strict. That's how she is, cold. She loves her social status, her group of girlfriends who only care about appearances and gossip."
• "I know. Hey, thanks for helping Dad with this. I had given up on this trip."
• "I know how much you want to go. Just be careful with the Europeans. I don't want them to kidnap you and sell you to be chopped up."
• "Noel!" They laughed at Noel's joke and then said goodbye. As a good older brother, he waited for his sister to pass through security before leaving with the family back home.
• ---
• As for Mr. Rothschild, there was something about that girl that caught his attention. After observing her for a whole week, he got an idea why. He literally studied her, carefully watching how she behaved with each family member. Although it was not usual for him to do these things personally, with so many employees to handle such tasks, he didn't want anyone else to take on this task. He wanted to do it himself.
• In his rush to personally study Victoria, Mr. Rothschild was forced to postpone a couple of meetings abroad, and now he had to reschedule them after the special holiday had passed. Meanwhile, he had his assistant arrange a meeting with Hank for Monday morning two weeks later.
• Punctual at 8 in the morning, Hank arrived at the large crescent-shaped desk where David, one of the boss's assistants, worked.
• "Good morning, Hank," David greeted enthusiastically and kindly.
• "Good morning, David. Is Mr. Rothschild expecting me?"
• "You're early, he will definitely like that. Please have a seat, I'll announce you right away."
• "Thank you."
• Nervously, Hank settled into one of the comfortable armchairs in the small reception area facing the huge door to the boss's office.
• Not knowing the reason for the meeting didn't help ease his nerves. His vacation had been amazing, and he had returned to his usual work without any problems, so he couldn't imagine what the boss wanted to talk to him about.
• Ten minutes later, David emerged from the large doors and announced that they were ready for him. Hank jumped up and approached the door, taking a quick glance before entering. It was curious, but it was his first time entering that office, which was indeed spacious and elegant.
• "Mr. LeeSmith, please take a seat in front of Mr. Rothschild's desk," Miller instructed, standing next to the desk.
• "Good morning, Mr. Rothschild, Mr. Anderson," Hank greeted, trying to sound calm.
• "Good morning, Mr. LeeSmith. Miller, go get the documents I asked David for, I want them ready in 10 minutes."
• "Yes, sir."
• Matt watched his personal assistant's movements in complete silence. He waited for them to be completely alone before starting the conversation with Hank. But instead, when the door closed behind Miller, he focused on observing Hank. He kept his serious and calculating gaze on the man, who, despite trying to appear calm, was starting to sweat under the boss's inquisitive gaze.
• After a couple of minutes, Matt changed his posture, leaning back in his chair in an attempt to appear relaxed, although he never truly was.
• "Well, Mr. LeeSmith, you must be wondering why I've summoned you here..."
• "The truth is, yes. I've never been on this side of the company, and everyone recognizes it as the side of serious problems..." Hank sighed nervously.
• "Did I do something wrong?" Hank ventured to ask, wanting to finally relieve the tension in his shoulders.
• "I'm going to be very direct, Mr. LeeSmith, and I want you to listen very carefully before you start interrupting. Am I clear?"
• Matt asked as he stood up from behind his desk and began pacing around his spacious office, always keeping his gaze on Hank.
• "I'm listening, sir."
• Hank nodded several times, confident that his response would be much clearer that way.
• "Every year I hold this party for all my employees. I make sure they have everything they could want. That they have fun. That they enjoy with their families. And I also give vacations to 4 lucky employees, and this year you are one of them."
• "And I am immensely grateful, sir."
• "I'm glad to hear that, because I not only give them vacations, but I also give them the opportunity to grow in the company. Do you follow me, Mr. LeeSmith?"
• "Are you talking about a promotion?"
• Hank asked cautiously, not raising his voice too much.
• "Starting next Monday, you will have a new position, and you will be earning one hundred percent more than what you are earning now... Annually."
• "What? But..., but that's, that's double."
• Hank stammered, incredulous.
• "It is," Matt paused to gauge Hank’s reaction to the monetary incentive before continuing. Yes, his eyes were shining with excitement at the prospect of a significant increase in income. "I watched you during the party and a couple of times I saw you interacting with your family on the island. You are a leader, and that, that is precisely what I need."
• "I am always making new deals, and I would like you and your family to move more towards the north side of the city."
• Wide-eyed, Hank couldn't believe what he was hearing. Those intense blue eyes didn't leave him, trying to decipher what he was thinking at that moment.
• "It seems to me that every family man's dream is to get the perfect house, the perfect job, and of course, to enjoy a substantial financial situation."
• "It is, sir."
• He nodded carefully pulling at his shirt collar. Now comes the 'but,' thought Hank, preparing for the impact.
• "Very well, Mr. LeeSmith, I'm going to get straight to the point and tell you what I want in return."
• A silence surrounded them as Matt returned to his place on the other side of the imposing desk.
• Hank tried to find a clue in the direct and calculating gaze that never left his boss's face. But it was useless; Matt was known for that intimidating gaze, fixed, firm, and confident.
• What Matt recognized in Hank's gaze was fear. Terror at knowing what the big boss wanted to achieve with all this; after all, he was just a pawn on a chessboard.
• "I want your daughter."