team, her own duties more specific than they are now. Just like my other top management, she’ll be required to take courses in not only team management strategy, but efficient delegation and work life effectiveness as well.”
“That sounds amazing.”
“I’m glad you think so. Ultimately, she will also answer to me, as all my other top management does. The survival of the company will no longer rest on her shoulders.”
No, it would rest on Ariston’s and Chloe had no doubts that not only could her tycoon husband handle the added pressure, he would guide Dioletis Industries into the modern global economy with great success.
“Thank you.” It was far more than Chloe had expected.
He shrugged. “I prefer you content with our arrangement. It is give and take.”
“But not with Rhea.” Chloe indicated the proposal that he’d said was nonnegotiable.
“My policy has always been to limit my negotiations with principals only.”
And despite the fact that Rhea was now the majority stock controller in Dioletis Industries, from Ariston’s viewpoint she was not a principal.
As he’d said, Rhea had nothing he wanted.
He didn’t consider Chloe an unwitting pawn to be used at his discretion. In that way, at least, Ariston was definitely not like her father.
“Takis always said you lived in a black-and-white world, while the rest of us existed with shades of gray,” she said, rather than revealing any of her tumbling thoughts.
“Perhaps in some things. Others I am willing to compromise on. Like I would prefer to have you in my bed from tonight forward, but I will wait until your sister accepts the terms of my offer.”
“I can’t make a permanent move that quickly!” This impatience was one of the few things she hadn’t missed about Ariston. “I’ve got a business.”
“The small art supply store and gallery in Oregon.”
She didn’t take small to be a pejorative term. Her shop and gallery were literally small in both store size and business conducted. She could live off the proceeds, but nothing like as lavishly as she had done with him, or even growing up with her father. “Yes.”
“You cannot run a business on the West Coast and be my lover.” There was no particular edge to his tone, but there was no give either.
“I know.” Just as she couldn’t be a student and his wife. “The gallery is just starting to thrive, though.”
The art supply shop had been a success from the start. She’d done her homework and discovered that though there was a thriving artist community in the town she wanted to settle in, they had to drive nearly an hour for decent supplies. Now she drew both the amateur and professional artists from up and down the coast because she carried what they liked, what serious artists looked for in the way of charcoals, paints and other supplies.
She wasn’t sure the fact her small gallery was paying its own mortgage and for a part-time employee would register with the billionaire businessman, though.
“I am aware. You should be proud of building such a sturdy concern.” No surprise at her success or mockery tinged his voice.
She found herself smiling with pleasure at his approval. “Thank you. I don’t want to lose it.”
“I would not ask you to.”
But he had. Well, as good as.
“I have found an artist with a business degree who will run it for you. Her husband was forced into early retirement and she is keen for the opportunity. The fact you have an apartment above the gallery is of particular note, as they are days from eviction.”
He offered this with the attitude of a man who had done his best to stack the deck and was pleased with his own efforts.
She had to admit she was impressed.
Both by his acumen and his unshakable confidence.
The fact he’d found yet another screw to put to her conscience in the form of a couple facing homelessness was barely a blip on her radar. Not in the face of the unavoidable truth that he had planned all of this on the assumption that not only would she come to him, but that she would accept his terms for the business rescue.
“You really are a master manipulator.”
He seemed pleased by the questionable compliment. “I prefer to think of myself as fully prepared for every contingency.”
“What would have happened to that couple if I had refused your terms?” she demanded, amusement warring with sheer awe at his determination to get his way.
“We’ll never have to know now.”
“Tell me you would have helped them somehow.”
“You are the bleeding