Chase knew something was up when he entered the boardroom and found it packed. His second clue came in the form of Marcus Reyes flanked by his brother and father. The Reyes clan never showed up to meetings unless they wanted to throw their weight around.
This time, Marcus barely contained himself long enough for the meeting ritual to conclude and the floor to open to new business.
"I want to address The Happy Homemaker and Ms. Lori Laker. You recently suspended her because of problems on set. That predicated an influx of publicity that has thrown the show and MGM in a bad light. Ms. Laker also accused me of attacking her at a charity event. This unfounded accusation shows a lack of respect for her superiors. Combined with her rumored unwed pregnancy and affair with a married man, she is a liability to the company. I propose we terminate her contract and cut our losses."
Now Chase understood the intent. This was a witch hunt for Bailey. While the woman was a thorn in his side, the accusations made against her by Reyes were false. In fact, The investigation he'd launched about the pregnancy rumors concluded this morning, and he knew who was behind the claims.
"I believe as CEO, that decision falls under my purview, Mr. Reyes."
"When you refuse to act, the board has the right to act in the best interest of MGM."
"I know my job, and I've been living up to my responsibilities, as I always have."
"Then why is she back on set today?"
Chase had always suspected Marcus had spies, not that it was a big secret to put Bailey back to work. He'd never expected to suspend her more than a few days. While her little stunt with Ren had cost the company money, they couldn't recoup it unless she was working.
He asked Ren for the information on The Happy Homemaker. "She is back on set to make MGM money and because we were at risk of a greater liability by not putting her back to work."
"How do you figure that?"
Chase went through the cost and profit potential for The Happy Homemaker, as well as the call for action staged by the show's faithful followers. "Additionally, my people have investigated the recent bad publicity. Ms. Laker is not pregnant, nor is there any proof of a married lover. In fact, this morning, I received information that the perpetrator of the rumored affair is in fact in this room."
Murmurs arose from around the conference table. Not from Marcus, though, and Chase wasn't eager to out the man. Marcus had a lot of power in the Dallas area, and he and Chase already had a tenuous relationship. While Chase wasn't afraid of the man, he didn't like making powerful enemies if he didn't have to. Chase had too many already. And, if he had to admit it, he was afraid of what the man might do to Bailey.
"I was also witness to the supposed attack at the charity. I'd prefer not to be in the middle of what is obviously a personal matter between Ms. Laker and Mr. Reyes. I will take the appropriate steps to protect the talent and the company. Wouldn't you say that is what a good CEO should do, Mr. Reyes?"
The hatred between the two men was so hot that some of the less formidable shareholders shrunk back from the heat.
"I'm waiting for an answer, Mr. Reyes. Before all these witnesses, am I doing my job? Should I be making this whole fiasco into a court case where the guilty parties are dragged into a public court and asked to justify their actions, or should I spend MGM's precious resources on making money?"
Giving in, Marcus sat back, tilting his chair away from Chase. "Just how much money could her little show garner for a company like MGM. In the grand scheme of things, it's pennies."
"Perhaps you've forgotten, Mr. Reyes, MGM is a conglomeration. Our net worth is due to the combined success of many enterprises. That said, The Happy Homemaker has sponsor agreements that ensure its profitability for the next five years. While those profits may not be the largest for the organization, they are nothing to sneeze at either. We are looking at an estimated net profit over five years of just on this side of the billion-dollar mark, and that is if we do nothing else but keep the existing clients happy. Just imagine what the show is worth if we spend less time sabotaging our talent and promoting them instead.
"Mr. Reyes, how much do you have invested in MGM?"
"My family has—"
"No, sir. I asked how much you personally have invested in MGM."
"Fine, you've made your point. I'll back off for now, but if that woman continues to cause problems, I won't be as merciful."
Not for the first time, Chase wondered who died and made Marcus into a god. He'd heard that many surgeons had a god complex, but never had he met one who personified that attitude as much as Marcus. While he didn't want to get between Marcus and Bailey, she deserved a heads up about the man she'd gotten tangled with.
The meeting continued with less drama and a lot more professionalism. As soon as it wrapped up, Chase called Ren to his side.
"When does Bailey go on air?"
"Twenty minutes. I thought I would observe if you don't need me here."
"Let's go together."
Chase had been antsy to see her again ever since he woke up. He didn't exactly miss Bailey as feel like something was missing. It was like craving potato chips when he had a sodium deficiency. Bailey felt like potato chips. She wasn't exactly what he needed, but she would be a tasty substitute.
"Oh, you don't have to go. I can handle it myself."
Chase cast Ren a stink eye. "Is there something you're not telling me, Ren?"
Ren had the good sense to look guilty. "I might have paired her up with a pregnancy test client."
"Ren," Chase growled. "I'm trying to smooth things over with her. Why did you have to pour salt into the wound?"
Ren would be lucky if she didn't try to kick his butt again. With luck, not that a sprained ankle could ever truly be considered lucky, the sore ankle would save Ren from a physical assault. Of course, the woman was a pro at lashing out with that tongue of hers and leaving deep gashes in a man's composure.
Chase vaguely wondered what else that tongue was good for before pushing away from the thought. Developing a personal relationship of any kind with Bailey Gallup would likely send him to an early grave. The time with her, though, he was confident would be anything but boring. He'd had enough of boring.
"I didn't think of it that way. I was looking for a last-minute sponsor, so I could put her back to work the way you instructed."
"I don't believe you for one second, Ren. You deserve it if she roasts you again like she did last time. We will not only air the episode, I will personally send a copy to your mother."
"Chase, you wouldn't."
"Watch me. This had better not go south."
Ren grumbled, "You tell my mother, and I'll tell Sam you're dating a Tasmanian devil who's pregnant with your grandchild. He'll have you and her locked up on the ranch so fast that neither of you will have a chance to pack a bag."
Chase sighed. "Yeah, that would do it. He's been after me again about marriage and grandchildren, which reminds me. How are the blind dates your mom's been arranging going? Hasn't she run out of eligible women in the tri-state area?"
"She has. The last one she flew in from Beijing."
"How did it go?"
"Fine, if I wanted a timid mouse who couldn't speak on anything more serious than which designer bags she needed to complete her collection."
"Sounds like she might be a malleable partner."
"Is that what you look for in a woman?"
Chase thought about it and was surprised that Bailey's angry face was the first one to come to mind when he thought about what he wanted in a woman. Not that he wanted a mad woman, but he did want one who could stand her own ground. From what he'd seen, Bailey had no problem fighting for what she wanted except for what she wanted from her sister. He had bruises on his back and ribs to prove it.
When he had gotten home last night and seen the damage she'd done to him in such a short time, he was impressed by how much power she'd put into her punches while being held upside down. He was also aggrieved enough to consider driving to Bailey's house. She should take responsibility for the injury she'd inflicted.
The thought of her touching his bare skin, even purely medicinally, was enough to heat his blood. Chase shook the idea away. He had to settle the little hellfire in and move on with his life before she became an unhealthy obsession.
"Right now, it'd be nice if Bailey was a bit more like your date."
Wait. Was Chase beginning to think of Bailey as his woman? Oh, crap.