382 Reynolds-Harper collaboration 5

Mr. Reynolds saw that his wife is about to blow a fuse at the sight of Brianna behind Quentin's desk like she owns the place… and then on the side, there is Mia seated at the table and eating while ignoring everyone's presence. Quentin is pouring coffee. Is he acting as a server in this whole ridiculous situation? What is going on? Did Brianna take over Reynolds Publishing and forced Quentin to serve her? Not possible, right?

Mr. Reynolds held onto his wife's arm and gave it a gentle squeeze, silently reminding her that they are here to talk and that she should not allow her emotions to take over.

"Your mother wants to speak to Brianna.", Mr. Reynolds said to Quentin.

"You mean, with Miss Harper.", Quentin corrected his father.

Mr. Reynolds cleared his throat, and he didn't respond. It was obvious that Quentin is telling them that Brianna is not someone they should act too familiar with. Well, after the Christmas dinner and the meeting which ended ten minutes ago, he is not surprised.

'CLACK!'

Everyone (with exception of Mia) turned to Brianna when she put a palm-sized device on the surface of Quentin's executive desk with more force than necessary.

"Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds, I want you to be aware that we are being recorded. Now, why do you want to talk to me?", Brianna's icy tone matched her expression.

"Why are you at that desk?", Mrs. Reynolds snapped.

"It's just a desk. It's not like I'm wearing it out or stealing it.", Brianna said flatly while enjoying the not-so-subtle arm squeezes and eye-flares that Mr. Reynolds is directing at his wife.

It seems that the woman got her husband's nonverbal messages because she cleared her throat and adjusted her attitude.

"Miss Harper…", Mrs. Reynolds said in the sweetest voice she could muster. "I want to apologize…"

"Save it.", Brianna cut her off curtly. "I'm not interested."

Mrs. Reynolds blinked a few times rapidly. She imagined that Brianna will listen either so that she accepts the apology, or to mock her. She didn't think that Brianna will not be interested to hear her out. "Excuse me?"

"I told you in the conference room not to bother with apologies because I will not buy them. You are not here because you regret your words, but because you want to keep your non-existing position in this company. The insults you directed my way caused me deep emotional trauma that can't be soothed by empty words. You will hear from my lawyer."

"How can you be so harsh? Give me a chance to explain!", Mrs. Reynolds did her best to stay calm, but that was nearly impossible in these conditions.

"What will be enough?", Mr. Reynolds asked stiffly while trying not to think that Brianna will ask for a lot of money. Or maybe their house.

Brianna grinned maliciously and leaned back in the comfy leather chair. "You are here trying to pacify me. You want to maintain your presence at Reynolds Publishing and to stop me from filing a lawsuit against you. Tell me, how much each of those is worth to you."

"This is extortion!", Mrs. Reynolds's voice was raised as she was losing control of her emotions (as usually).

"I didn't ask for anything. How can you say that I am extorting you?" Brianna pointed at the recording device. "Watch your words, because the lawsuit of slandering me is expanding with every unfounded accusation that you throw my way."

Mr. Reynolds gritted his teeth. "It is obvious that you want something. What is it?"

Brianna stood up and put her fists on the desk in front of her while directing a mocking gaze at Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds. "I want to take you down because you insulted me in a private and in a professional setting. People who sucked up to you so far will turn their backs and stop answering your calls. I will not stop until you are all alone and helpless. What can you do about it?"

Before anyone could respond, the door of Quentin's office opened and ten people in dark blue suits entered.

Mrs. Reynolds was still in shock from Brianna's words while Mr. Reynolds's eyes nervously darted over newcomers and when he saw that Quentin is unphased, he asked: "Who are these people?"

"Personal security.", Quentin responded while keeping his phone in his pocket. He sent them a message to enter just in time before things between Brianna and his parents escalated. As much as Quentin wants his parents to dig their hole deeper, he does not want to make it more unpleasant for Brianna.

Quentin didn't say that these are Max's men who do the dirty work when needed, while during regular work hours they are security personnel at the Alpha group.

"How come you have personal security?", Mr. Reynolds asked Quentin suspiciously, unsure if these are Quentin's or Brianna's people.

"I don't know who in this company can be trusted.", Quentin said flatly. "I'm sure you know about it more than I do."

Mr. Reynolds narrowed his eyes at Quentin. "Are they here to take us out?"

"They are here to make sure that nothing happens to Miss Harper or me, and I hope that you will be sensible enough to leave this place on your own without causing a scene."

"The voting still didn't happen!", Mrs. Reynolds reminded her son with desperation in her voice. "You can't kick us out just like that!"

Quentin was losing his patience. "Mother, unless father signs off some of his shares to be on your name, you are not related to this company at all and your presence is tolerated only because of my goodwill. Father has shares, but other than owning a percentage of the company, he does not have the right to be here either because he is not an employee. Both of you are using office space, and that will be taken away from you today regardless of the voting. How I see it, you staying until the voting concludes is only a formality and we all know how this will end. Why are you prolonging the inevitable? Are you really set on torturing yourself? You want to be in that room and watch as people raise their hands in support of kicking you out? Or do you hope that they will put their own livelihood aside in favor of your pride? If you wish, you can do so… but I'm asking you to leave my office because I have work to do and I suggest that you pack your things or someone will do it for you."

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