of employment to you.”
My feet literally hit the brakes. Thank god no one was behind me. I pulled over and flicked my flashers on. “I’m sorry, Alan. I don’t follow. Why would a tech company purchasing the station affect my employment?”
“Because the acquiring tech company in question is a subsidiary of Lund Industries.”
I would’ve dropped the phone if I’d been holding it. “And how was I supposed to know about that? Nolan and I don’t talk about business.”
“You’re telling me that the man you’re involved with, who is acting interim CEO of the acquiring company, didn’t inform you of the acquisition?” His tone dripped of skepticism.
“Let’s get something straight. Nolan wouldn’t share classified information regarding their family corporation with me or anyone else even if it wasn’t against company policy.”
“So you’re claiming that Mr. Lund could’ve known about the acquisition but didn’t share job opening opportunities with you?”
“No, I’m telling you that Nolan and I didn’t start dating until after my in-person interview with WSN. Not that it matters, because someone outside your network who also applied for the job is complaining about nepotism because they didn’t get the position. If it truly was nepotism at work, then Mr. Jacoby would’ve been told by someone in the executive branch of Lund Industries to make sure I got hired. That doesn’t appear to be the case, does it, Mr. Jacoby? Since I was offered the job before the LuTek acquisition announcement?”
“Was Mr. Lund aware of your application to work at Wolf Sports North?”
Deflection. No surprise. “Yes. But—”
“So he could’ve smoothed the path for you.”
“I have no clue if he could have, I just know he didn’t. I passed the various application levels on my own merit, before Nolan and I became involved.” I took a deep breath. “Let me ask you something. When I interviewed, I was informed a merger was taking place. I was not given the name of the acquiring company and I didn’t breach protocol by asking. But what if one of the other job candidates was somehow given that information?”
That had surprised them.
“Mr. Jacoby, with the merger in place, who do you answer to directly now? Someone in the executive branch of Lund Industries?”
“No. As a subsidiary of LuTek, I answer to that CEO.”
“Is Nolan Lund now the CEO of LuTek?”
“No, he is not the CEO of LuTek. But how is that—”
“Relevant? It’s the only thing that’s relevant as you are attempting to deny me a job that I fought for, for myself.” I paused. “Permission to be brutally honest?”
“Granted,” Alan said.
“Jubilee Jones applied for the same position I did. I’ve dealt with her in the past and she is not a trustworthy person. So if she gained insight from one of the Wolf Sports North employees about which company was acquiring them, she would use that classified information to her advantage.”
“Your objection is noted, Gabi,” Alan said. “But for right now, until we gather more information, we’re suspending the hiring process with you.”
“You’ve got to be kidding me.”
“I’m sorry, but no, we feel this is a necessary step.”
I laughed harshly. “You do realize if I had the almighty power of nepotism, all it would take is one phone call to secure my employment?”
“Hi, Gabi, Minka here. We’re asking you not to do that.”
That’s when I suspected Minka had leaked the acquisition info to Jubilee—they were two slimy peas in a pod. She would’ve championed Jubilee for the job over me.
“That’s the thing. I would never do that. While I’m waiting for your verdict on my future with your company, might I suggest you find that leak? Someone in a position of authority spoke out of turn. It doesn’t take a personal connection with the Lund family to understand that a company the size of Lund Industries takes confidentiality agreements seriously.”
“Thank you for the reminder, Gabi. We’ll be in touch.”
After I hung up, I got back on the road and drove directly to Lund Industries.
Since I hadn’t given Nolan a heads-up for the visit, I had to wait until someone secured a visitor’s pass for me.
I stormed past the receptionist on his floor and booked it directly to Nolan’s office.
Sam was on the phone and held me off until he ended the call. “Gabi. Lovely as it is to see you, today is not a good day to visit.”
“Let me guess. Nolan had no idea about the LuTek acquisition of Wolf Sports North and he’s losing his mind.”
Surprise flashed across Sam’s face. “How did you know?”
“It affects