Mistletoe Maneuvers Read Free

would be off, or her return would be shaky, and her opponent would be the one in command. Then she’d have to play from behind. It wasn’t her first choice, but in a way, it had been good for her. It proved to people she wasn’t getting by on talent alone, that she could gut out a match with the best of them. Since she’d started at Lawrence Enterprises, she’d likened her struggle to a rough match. She might be in a hole, but she knew she’d dig herself out. Somehow.
    But now, less than twenty-four hours after firing Rick Parker, she was beginning to think she had underestimated her opponent.
    She had arrived at work that morning to find out that the company was under threat of a hostile takeover by Sabrina Vickers, heir to the Kato Resorts family fortune. Sabrina was known for taking over corporations and breaking them up, selling off the properties one by one. If she succeeded in taking over Lawrence Enterprises, the company would be ripped apart in a matter of months.
    â€œYou must be exhausted,” her aunt said when Lessa finally made it home that night. “You’ve been at work since five this morning. And I bet you haven’t had anything decent to eat all day.” Her aunt shook her head as she walked over to their small galley kitchen. Their apartment was located on the top floor of a brownstone in midtown Manhattan. It was a simple two-bedroom with a living room and a small dining room. But it had one luxurious feature: an old, original wood-burning fireplace complete with a marble mantel. Lessa would often come home to find her dinner on the table and a roaring fire in the fireplace. Tonight, although it was nearly ten o’clock, was no exception.
    Lessa pleaded with her aunt not to hold dinner for her, but her aunt was determined to do just that. “What else have I got to do all day?” she’d asked in her usual cranky tone.
    â€œHow could I not have seen this coming?” Lessa said after she told her aunt the news.
    â€œShe was too sneaky,” Gran said.
    Although Sabrina had bought stock through her various companies, never using her own name, Lessa blamed herself for not being more diligent. After all, she knew that a hostile takeover was a threat during any period of turmoil. “But she’s been buying stocks for weeks. I should’ve been more thorough.”
    â€œStop beating yourself up, Lessa. You know what your father always said. Don’t waste time thinking about what you should’ve done. The question is, what can you do now?”
    â€œThe board wants me to bring back Rick.” That was putting it mildly. Although the majority had voted to fire Rick, news of the takeover had sent her supporters running for cover. Everyone was pointing a finger and most were aimed directly at her. They considered Rick the one person capable of saving Lawrence Enterprises.
    Her aunt sat down at the table and raised her eyebrows as if to say, “Well?”
    â€œI’ve tried to call him to discuss it but he hasn’t returned my calls.” Lessa knew this was just part of his mind game, psyching out the opponent, but it still unnerved her. “You should’ve seen how smug he was last night. How cocky. I’m certain he knew about this takeover when I fired him. It was like…like he knew I would be forced to ask him back.”
    â€œSo you’ve decided to give him back his job?” her aunt asked.
    â€œI don’t know what to do. I’d prefer to fight this myself. It could be an opportunity to win not only my company but the respect of everyone who works there.”
    â€œSounds like a good idea. Now eat your dinner.”
    â€œUnfortunately,” Lessa said after she dutifully took a bite, “the cons are enormous. I stand a very goodchance of losing everything. I’m taking a gamble not only with my career but also with the livelihoods of everyone associated with Lawrence. If I lose, a lot of