Chapter 152 - He Is Not Yours

"Earlier it was you who set up June, your secretary, to bribe us in exchange of winning the project and you sent her to me to check my integrity, am I right?"

"I am not sure what Ms. Richardson is talking about."

"Earlier when June came to me, I felt bad for you as you, a person who is so hell bent on dealing only with highly moral people would have a secretary who is cheating you on behind but after meeting her and going back to my room, I thought how to tell you this news so as to not shock you but then I realized how can a person like June, who is so soft and simple minded would get away by fooling you all these years as I know she has been your secretary since the day you entered the world of business and I realized you were trying to test me. It was a doubt I had and a theory I made, so I decided to observe you two tonight. After spending some time I realized it was a trap set by you."

Rachel shared her theory and her thoughts.

"I am still not sure what you are talking about Ms. Richardson."

"Well then I am really sorry Ms. Carlson, I was wrong earlier, you are not as smart as I thought you are." 

Jessica laughed when she heard Rachel's words, "Are you not scared that your words might offend me and I would reject your proposal without even giving you a fair chance?"

"No, if you really mean what you said, then you are an ethical person and you won't make decisions based on your personal biases." Rachel confidently told her.

Jessica couldn't help but smile, "I am really very impressed Ms. Richardson, no wonder my Danny is head over heels for you."

"He is not yours" Rachel couldn't control it and these words reflexively came out, she regretted it as soon as the words came out of her, she found it very petty when two women fought over a guy.

Jessica was not offended and she laughed even more loudly when she heard Rachel's words.

"I am sorry, I didn't mean to be rude." Rachel apologized.

"Don't be sorry, I loved what you said."

"Ms. Carlson, can we not drag him into our business talks?" Rachel requested her as she didn't like talking about Daniel when they were here to discuss professional work. 

"Why?"

"We are here to talk business and I don't want to discuss my personal life and mix it with work."

"Sure"

"Thank you"

"But let me tell you one thing Ms. Richardson, you were wrong."

Rachel got confused as she was sure June was indeed sent by Jessica to test her.

"Are you saying you didn't send June to test me?"

"No, you are right about that, I was the one who indeed sent June to test you."

"Then how am I wrong?"

"What is your theory?" Jessica instead questioned her.

"You wanted to see if I would accept Jessica's offer to bribe her with money for more information or not."

"That's it?"

"That is what I think it is."

"You were right Ms. Richardson, you still have a lot to learn but not about business but more about business tactics."

"I am not sure what Ms. Carlson is trying to say."

"The test was not about whether you will accept her offer or not, you came here to meet me which already means I know how ethical you are. The real test was to know what you would do after rejecting June's offer, will you try to tell me and reveal June's truth, if you do then I wanted to see your approach. People before you made this revelation to me in a very fancy and loud way, they made an issue out of it and tried to create a scene and revealed the truth in front of June. This would be a wrong way to do it because they should be considerate about how this news might affect me when I would know my loyal secretary is playing games behind me. The other way to do this is to come to me with some proof and mentally prepare me before revealing the shocking news and should do it subtly in a calm way. If you would have done it the second way then I would have been very happy."

Rachel just nodded her head, "Ms. Carlson is really very unique."

"Well, Ms. Richardson is no less, you did something that no one else ever did."

"I am sorry?" Rachel got confused as she couldn't understand the meaning behind her words.

"No one ever came to me and confronted me on my way of testing them, they all never figured it out that it is a trap that I laid down and as far as I know some people did figure it out but instead of confronting me, they took advantage of the information they deduced and try to reveal the truth to me to show how ethical they are but no one in my life called me less intelligent and confronted me like this as they all feared they would lose an opportunity to work with me. Although I told them how much ethics matter to me, no one believed that no matter what they do, I would at the end of the day deal with them keeping my morals intact. You were the only one who believed it and fearlessly discussed with me what was on your mind. I am really very impressed with you Ms. Richardson."

"Wow, you really have very unique ways to deal with people Ms. Carlson, your theories and tests, I am speechless to be honest with how different your thought process is."

"Are you praising me or insulting me?" Jessica was really confused.

Rachel laughed at her, "You are very smart Ms. Carlson, figure it out yourself."

Jessica smiled back at her, "Sure, I'll try to."

"Then I'll take my leave."

"Me too"

Rachel then went back to her room and Jessica went to her house, she was very happy after meeting Rachel, she is smarter than she expected and she called Daniel to share her thoughts about Rachel.

She called him but he didn't answer her call and just sent a message to her.

'In a meeting right now, busy day, will call you tomorrow.'

Jessica didn't mind as she knew how busy his lifestyle is, she and Daniel had a long phone call last night, so she decided to talk to him later and recollected their conversation

Last night [Daniel and Jessica's phone call]

Jessica was checking her emails before going to sleep just then her phone rang. She checked the caller ID and was very happy to see Daniel was calling her.

"How are you Jessy?" Daniel's voice rang from the other side.

"I am fine Danny, how are you?"

"I am great"

"And how is Jimmy?"

"He too is absolutely fine"

"It has been very long since we talked right?"

"Nonsense, last month we three had a conference call, you already forgot?"

"One month is a long time"

Daniel chuckled at her words, "Fine, it has been very long since we talked, happy?"

"Yes, very happy"

"How is your work going on?"

"Great as always, a bit busy these days"

"Hmm, I know"

"Wait, how do you know?"

"Actually this is also the reason why I called you"

"What happened?" Jessica became curious.

"Okay but before that please don't judge me. Do you remember our pact?" He hesitatingly asked.

"Which one? We had many pacts" She was genuinely confused as they really had a lot of pacts.

"Remember, we promised that whenever we meet 'the one', we will share the news with each other?"

"Why are you talking about that pact? Oh wait you already met 'your one'?" Jessica asked him with excitement apparent in her voice.

"Yes, now listen to me carefully, I am in love with her and the reason I am telling you now is because you would be meeting her soon."

"Wait what? Am I already going to meet her?" She asked in excitement.

"Yes, you will be meeting her tomorrow, Rachel Richardson"

"Oh the one I might collaborate with soon?"

"Yes"

"Danny did you call me to recommend your girlfriend for this project?" 

"Don't you know me? Will I do anything like this?"

"Well, love drives people crazy and makes them do things they usually don't do."

"Not in my case and also I don't need to recommend Rachel to you, she is awesome and she can manage herself well without my help. I am not going to meddle in your and her professional life"

"Wow but now I will be observing her more keenly than I observe other people."

Daniel chuckled at her words, "Do whatever you want to do."

"Whatever? Is it okay if I bully her?"

"You can try but I don't think she will be bullied by you."