Chapter 29
858 Words
The New Energy R&D Division wasn't part of the company's core business.
But it was crucial to future growth.
Placing Ruby there meant he could keep her close without making it obvious.
Leo nodded at once.
Ruby didn't particularly care where she ended up.
She scooped the puppy into her arms and followed Leo toward the elevator.
"Does he have a name?" she asked.
Leo shook his head.
"No. Mrs. Knight wants you to name him."
Ruby glanced back at Owen's dark expression.
A slow, mischievous smile spread across her face.
"Then we'll call him Kitty."
Leo blinked.
"You're naming a dog Kitty?"
"Why not?"
"Fine," Owen said irritably from behind his desk.
The New Energy R&D Division occupied the thirty-eighth floor.
On the way, Leo decided to give her a briefing.
"Just so you know," he said carefully, "most people in R&D have PhDs."
"A master's from a top-tier university is the bare minimum."
"You'll be the first person on the team with only a bachelor's degree."
"This is a big opportunity."
"Mr. Knight arranged it personally."
He hesitated, then added:
"Consider it a reward for keeping his..." :::grandmother happy. Ruby replied flatly. He really shouldn't have.
Oh, and one more thing. Leo lowered his voice about your arrangement with him. He wants to keep it private.
It'll be less complicated if or when you two get divorced.
Ruby's lips curved slightly funny. I was thinking the exact same thing as the elevator doors slid open.
Laughter echoed from the floor. The division was split into two teams, one to the left and one to the right, with a shared lounge in the middle.
As Ruby stepped out, she heard a few guys chatting. Hey, did you hear Team One is getting a hot new intern today?
Whoa, really. Finally, some new scenery in this sausage fest. Big deal. Someone from Team Two sneered.
Our team is about to land Dr N as a technical consultant. What's so special about some undergrad?
What is she just here to be? Eye candy? Team One bristled, ready to fire back when a sharp voice cut through the noise.
What is this a gossip circle? Don't you all have work to do? Julian Rhodes stepped forward, tall, handsome, impatient.
He was the leader of Team One. The room scattered. Instantly, he frowned, looking Ruby up and down, before turning to Leo.
Leo, you can't just pawn some unqualified undergrad off on my team.
From higher up, Leo said, with a nervous chuckle. Julian was clearly unhappy. He looked at Ruby and said coldly.
I don't care who you know, when you're here, you follow my rules and lose the dog. This is a research facility.
Not a kennel. Ruby didn't bother explaining. All right.
Only then did Julian jerk his head toward an empty office. After she went inside, Julian turned back to Leo, lowering his voice.
This is the last time, Leo, if Doctor N joins my team, you can bring me a hundred charity cases.
But until then, keep them off my back.
Julian was Owen's cousin, but he had earned his position on pure merit. He despised people who coasted on connections.
Sure I will convey your message to Mr Knight, Leo said, and walked off.
Ruby's day passed rather quietly. No one assigned her any work. Once the puppy was asleep, she slipped out toward the research wing.
If she could develop a new Alzheimer's d**g, Matilda's condition might improve, and if her health improved, maybe her memories would return.
Then Ruby might finally get answers about the bizarre marriage she was trapped in.
Excuse me. She asked a quiet colleague. Where's the research library?
The man flushed, but before he could answer, Julian cut in and.
Why would you need the library? I need to work on some research. Ruby replied.
Julian scoffed, you don't have clearance. Ruby pulled out her phone to text Owen, if everyone already assumed she was trading on connections.
She might as well use them before she could text. Julian spoke again. It doesn't.
Matter who you message, you can't push me around. You're on my team now. Do your job and stop pretending to be something you're not. It's pathetic.
The quiet colleagues spoke up, Julian. She graduated from Hudson University, top of her class, and her major.
Book smarts mean nothing. Julian snapped. Every college grad is a rookie. On day one, he grabbed a stack of documents from the guy's desk and shoved them into Ruby's hands.
This is the new energy project we're working on. Let's see if you can understand even one page.
Rubies need to learn their place. Ruby looked down her eyes, scanning the proposal as she quickly flipped through the pages. Julian scoffed.
Flipping through it that fast. Who do you think you are? Dr N He laughed. Stop wasting our time and go back to your office. Rumor had it Dr N possessed near.
Photographic memory, able to absorb entire pages at a glance.
Ruby lifted her head and looked at him coldly.
What makes you think that I am not?
- Writer
