You Looked Down on Me Once Now You Look Up (Patricia and Oliver) novel Chapter 598

“The company’s policies are pretty clear. Even if Uncle Emerson gives you a few under-the-table perks, there’s no way he’d cover a loss like this just to do you a favor.”

“Mr. Lawrence, do you think I’m too young to get how things work?” Patricia leaned back in her chair, spinning her pen between her fingers and giving Kent a lazy, almost teasing look. “I might be young, but I know companies can spin expenses however they want. You could call anything a consulting fee, even if you brought in the mayor to give you ‘advice.’”

Kent shot her a look. “Oh, I’m sure Ms. Ruby Martin is on top of everything. But that whole ‘let the past be the past’ thing doesn’t fly around here, right? Everyone knows that when Mr. Martin was in charge, we all had a little extra leeway. Not every client dinner or meeting can be put down on paper. If you’re going to chase every cent, do you want me to go door to door and settle up with every supplier and official myself?”

His voice was loud enough for the whole office to hear. Outside, the secretaries fell silent, all of them straining to catch every word.

Inside, Patricia just leaned back a little more and gave him a cool smile. “Just a standard check, Mr. Lawrence. No need to get so heated.”

Whatever argument Kent had died right there. He’d come in ready for a fight, but Patricia had brushed him off without even breaking a sweat.

“Sorry. I got carried away. Please excuse me, Ms. Martin.”

She just smiled politely. “No worries. I’m sure you only want what’s best for the company.”

The second Kent stepped out, Jackson walked in and quietly closed the door behind him. “He left the door open on purpose. Wanted everyone to see the show.”

Patricia nodded. “I figured.”

Six million? That was just the tip of the iceberg. The audit had barely started. Who knew how deep this mess would go once they dug further? But right now, she didn’t have time to wrestle with someone like Kent. He needed to be dealt with—only then would Tina be out of moves.

“Kent’s one of Emerson’s guys. We can’t keep him here, and he’s loyal to Tina,” Jackson said.

“I know. But we have to make him quit on his own,” Patricia replied.

Jackson frowned. “Why not just fire him?”

Patricia shot him a look. “Have you actually read those business books you love so much, or just skimmed the covers? Firing someone at his level means a severance package—at least three months’ pay, probably more. With Kent’s rank, we’re talking big money.”

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