Chapter 78 Meeting Your Girlfriend's Grandmother
Knowing that Mrs Clancy is Eden's grandmother, I feel slightly nervous as I make my way towards her office for the meeting. It's something I do several times a week and yet it feels more important now, or at least important in a different way.
"Come on in everyone," Mrs Clancy says as she walks into her own office, removing her coat as she goes.
It's odd. She's late. I don't think I've ever known her to arrive to work late. She looks almost as tired as Eden but that makes little sense. Eden said her grandma got an early night. I shake off my unease. It's not really any of my business.
"How was everyone's weekend?" The older woman asks and everyone exchange polite replies. For the most part they all sound disappointed to be back at work but I'm pretty sure I hear some grumbling about their good for nothing husband.
"How was your birthday?" Lewis Artie asks.
'Suck up,' I mutter under my breath.
"It could have been better," she replies, "perhaps if I didn't have to work all weekend to help your team fix your little mistake."
"Ah..." Lewis visibly shrinks into his chair and I'm desperate to know what he's done now.
"Did you give your statement to the police?"
'The police?' I begin to panic. Why would the police be involved? What could he possibly have done that would require police involvement unless this has something to do with the money that is clearly being embezzled from the company.
"It wasn't intentional, Eliza," James speaks up for his nephew. He has some guts using Mrs Clancy's first name. Perhaps it's because they've known each other for such a long time but under the circumstances, if his nephew is causing trouble, I can't imagine it will do him any favours.
"Not intentional?" Mrs Clancy looks angrier than I've ever seen her, although I've got to give her credit, she's holding her temper in.
"Yes. I mean, how was he to know that little company in Iceland had patented the..."
"Market research," Mrs Clancy cut in. "Or are you telling me your nephew isn't only a thief but he's incompetent too?"
I feel like I'm witnessing a car crash and I'm completely unable to do anything. James bristles at her words and I can see his nostrils flaring. He gets to his feet, clearly angry.
"It hasn't even been investigated yet," he retorts angrily. "That is slander!"
Mrs Clancy doesn't even bother to respond. She's not intimidated at all.
"For those of you who have no idea what we're talking about," Mrs Clancy says with a heavy sigh, "the company is being sued for breech of patent law."
Well, that much had been obvious, I think to myself.
"It turns out that one of the minor products Design Team two produced last month was actually stolen from another company."
"SPECULATION!" James is screeching.
"Oh, I'm sorry... It would appear that we may have stole the design from another company. At this time, it is merely an accusation but the evidence is certainly compelling. Anyway, for the most part you shouldn't worry about it. The legal department have it in hand."
There is a murmur of agreement around the table but I can't help but wonder why Lewis Artie is even still here. If this is true, he should at least be suspended until the investigation is complete. He's a liability. I open my mouth to ask but one of the others beat me to it.
"Why hasn't Mr Artie been suspended?" It's hard to miss the way the head of marketing says his name. Obviously, there's no love lost between them.
"Or better yet fired," the person next to me mumbles.
"I am leaving that side of things up to Human Resources," Mrs Clancy says. "It would appear, they are unsure who should take responsibility for this... lapse in judgement."
If it was my team, I wouldn't hesitate to take responsibility but of course, Lewis Artie is cut from a different cloth and he'll happily let someone else take the blame.
"The two team members responsible for the product have been suspended pending investigation."
Of course, they have. I scoff aloud. Mrs Clancy glances my way, grimacing. My reaction is clearly not helpful.
"HR will react appropriately," she insists, "as soon as we are able to get all the information we need."
I glance down the table at Lewis. I don't know how he does it but he manages to look snug and nervous all at once. He obviously thinks he'll get away with it even if he doesn't like the way everyone is looking at him right now.
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