Chapter 463 She Must Appear More Passive
Katniss shook her head. "I don't know for sure, but rumors were floating around the company. Someone's gotta know something. Plus, he doesn't stay at the Banks Manor much. If he had a girlfriend, they'd be living together. So, getting close to Dwayne is key."
"So, you're saying I met you thanks to your dad," Tristan scoffed. After chatting for a bit and finishing their meal, he told her to take Evie for a nap.
He also reminded her to get some rest, or she'd be too tired for work the next day.
At first, Katniss didn't get what Tristan meant, but by that night, she figured it out.
The downside of napping too much in the afternoon was not being able to sleep at night.
Tristan clung to her like a madman, saying that more exercise would help her sleep.
The words sounded familiar, but Katniss's mind was clouded by his heavy breathing. She couldn't remember when he had said it before.
But she was sure it was in bed.
So, having her nap with Evie in the afternoon was clearly so she could keep him company at night.
Even so, the next morning, Katniss showed up at Banks Far Company with dark circles under her eyes.
She had Tristan drop her off a block away and walked to the company, carrying her employment report to the HR department.
Someone from HR took Katniss to the administration department, where the head, Connie Wall, introduced her to everyone. She then took off her heavy down jacket and sat at her desk.
No sooner had she sat down than someone called her.
"Hey, newbie, take this file to the top floor." A sealed document was tossed onto her desk.
Katniss looked up at the person, who wore heavy makeup and a strong perfume. She didn't seem very old, but looked older because of the makeup.
"This is a confidential document, right? As a new employee, I shouldn't have access to it."
Jessa Greer gave her a once-over and sneered, "You're new and already know so much? It's sealed. Just deliver it. Why so much talk?"
Katniss stood up and nodded slightly at Jessa. "Alright, I'll take it."
Office politics were tricky. To avoid unnecessary trouble, she needed to appear more passive.
If anything went wrong, she could deflect the blame.
Katniss took the file and entered the elevator, heading straight to the top floor, wondering if she might see Atticus and Dwayne.
If she did, what would she say?
The elevator doors opened.
Standing outside were Atticus and Dwayne, with a bespectacled man behind them.
Just her luck. Katniss hadn't figured out what to say yet!
"Mr. Savage," Dwayne reacted first, quickly stepping aside and calling to the man behind him.
The man seemed stunned for a few seconds. Who knew if Dwayne's eye twitching helped, but Tomas Savage finally responded.
"Uh, what are you here for?" 'Tomas' asked Katniss.
"I'm here to deliver a document for the administration department," Katniss quickly replied.
Tomas glanced at the file and then waved at Dwayne. "You take it. I'll wait for you in the parking lot."
With that, Tomas took the executive elevator.
The atmosphere inside and outside Katniss's elevator was awkward. Dwayne and Atticus exchanged glances with her.
Katniss gave them an easy out. "You guys work here? What a coincidence. I just started today."
"You got a job here?" Dwayne's expression darkened. "Violette said you were just visiting the city for a couple of days."
The elevator doors were about to close, so Katniss stepped out and walked to a corner with them. "With Grandma's health like this, how could I leave? And seeing you both working so hard to support the family, I felt bad. So I said I was here to have fun, but really, I was looking for a job to help out."
Atticus glanced at Dwayne and then cautiously asked, "How much do you make a month?"
"With meal allowances, about $2,500," Katniss said, counting on her fingers. "I found a really cheap place to rent. After expenses, I can save about $1,000."
A thousand dollars? Atticus's mouth twitched where Katniss couldn't see.
What could that even cover?
Dwayne sighed and frowned. "A thousand dollars won't make much difference. You should go back and take care of Grandma."
He couldn't tell her to go back to Velvet City, but at least he could get her out of the company.
"No way," Katniss said earnestly. "I'm young and can earn money. I need to contribute to the family. If you think I make too little, how about I move in with you? That way, I can save on rent."
"No," Dwayne refused without hesitation, adding, "And call me Mr. Larson at work."
Katniss pursed her lips, her eyes questioning: You're my dad. Why should I call you Mr. Larson?
Why couldn't she stay at Dwayne's place?
"Workplaces frown upon personal relationships. If people think I pulled strings to get you hired, it could cause trouble. Even with Atticus, you should act like you don't know him," Dwayne explained.
Atticus added, "You can call me Mr. Banks."
Katniss's lips curved into a faint smile.
"Alright, if you need anything at work, just let me know," Katniss said as someone approached. The two men visibly tensed, so she quickly turned. "I'll go now, so I don't cause you any trouble."
She hurried to the elevator and pressed the button.
Dwayne and Atticus walked in the opposite direction, heading to the CEO's office at the end of the hall.
Inside the CEO's office, Atticus's expression changed. "Uncle Dwayne, what do we do now? Katniss will eventually expose our identities!"
"No rush. She's just a new employee. I'll have HR find a reason to fire her," Dwayne said, frowning but calm.
He was used to dealing with big problems, so this was minor.
Given Katniss's position, getting to the top floor on her first day was a one-in-a-million chance.
Back at her desk, Katniss found a pile of documents waiting for her, courtesy of Connie.
"These are last quarter's reports. Organize them and email them to me today."
"Mr. Wall, it's impossible to organize a quarter's reports in one day," Katniss realized this was deliberate. She hadn't even taken the elevator ride, and the trouble had already started.
Connie glared at her. "If you can't do it, it shows you're not competent. You might as well leave."
Katniss raised an eyebrow. "I signed a labor contract with the company. Even during the probation period, you can't fire me without a valid reason."
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