Dana was startled by the knock. She quickly composed herself as Martin entered.
"I thought you were taking a nap… what are you doing on the balcony? Come here, it's cold out there." Martin grabbed a fur blanket from the sofa near the balcony door and handed it to Dana.
"I'm just looking at the night lights. Is the food ready?" Dana changed the topic as she entered back the room.
"Yes. We should head down. Marie, Hanna, and Selena are downstairs." Martin replied as he closed the balcony door.
"I see." Dana covered herself with the blanket as she walked towards the door followed by Martin.
After arriving at the dining room, the three secretaries are already sitting at the table waiting for them.
"Sorry, did you all wait long?" Dana smiled after receiving a warm wet cloth to wipe her hands.
"Not much, madame," Selena answered. Dana just nodded in acknowledgment as a platter of food was served before them.
"Let's eat." Dana took a sip of water before eating while the rest followed suit. Of course, dinners wouldn't be complete without some talking.
"Sir Martin, I heard you'll be going back to London tomorrow afternoon…" Selena inquired.
"Right! Now that the urgent matters here in France are done, I suppose Father summon you back to assist him and Mom." Dana added.
"Yes. your father did issue an order for me to be transferred back at the London base. No worries though, I have already transferred all the necessary work to the assigned personnel in the company." Martin assured them about the current situation.
"Thank you for the past few days, Sir Martin." Dana sincerely thanks him. She knew full well that without his help, things would not go as smoothly as they was now. Nothing really beats a good network and connections in the business world.
"It's always my pleasure to help you, Young miss."
"Anyways, how are thing at your end, Selena?" Dana changed the topic as she ate.
"The board was satisfied by the explanation and data that we presented during the emergency meeting. Sir Martin also assisted me on handling compensation and the other matters in the company." Selena replied, her voice full of mirth.
"That's good to hear. Marie, clear up my schedule tomorrow afternoon, I'll personally drop off Martin at the airport." Dana ordered.
"Young miss, there is no need to do that. You better rest. Although your wounds are healing up, it is better to make sure you are fully all right before doing things." Martin tried to persuade her but is unsuccessful.
"Martin, I'm fine. I'm already feeling better. I just wanted to go out to have a change of scenery. Besides, it's just a drop off, nothing more." Dana assured them.
"Are you sure about that? Well… you won't change your mind if you are set on things, so just make sure to tell us if you feel uncomfortable." Hanna did not put up any more fights and just went with her. Looking at Selena, the latter only nodded in return.
"Okay, everyone, let us just focus on eating please!" Dana also surrendered.
The five of them had a great dinner. After eating, Hanna and Martin are left in the kitchen to clean up and discuss the plans for tomorrow's departure, while Marie and Selena are in the living room discussing things about work. Meanwhile, Dana went to the study room to rest. Looking at the mountains of paper on her desk and the reports on her computer, she just shakes her head while smiling to herself.
She started reading them one by one, and after a full thirty minutes, a knock on the door made her stop and took a quick break.
"Yes, come in."
The door opened and Marie entered with Selena who brought a tray of tea. They both sat down, put the tray on the coffee table and served Dana a cup, Selena then proceed to serve themselves while Marie was assisting on the sides. Dana went up to them and politely accepted the tea.
"Thank you. Marie, what about my order to you this morning? Is it settled?" Dana asked in a colder and sharp mood, different to her usual smiling persona.
"Rest assures, madam. That is well taken care of. Jacques sure is have a great time in prison." Marie replied with the same cold look as Dana.
"That's good. Just continue on the follow up and the other task that I gave you." Dana paused for a while before asking.
"Selena…"
"Yes madame?" Selena patiently waited for Dana to speak again.
"About the incident, how is the cover up? Are there any loose ends? About Nexus? Any info?"
"Nothing to worry madame, with how the media is busy covering Jacques's scandal, only a few news about your situation is reported. I already turned down all of the articles about you. And as for Nexus, everything is now settled. The contract that is ready for signing has been void by the appeal that we submitted. The PR are also busy working together with the marketing to make sure ate our company reputation are not damage." Selena handed Dana a folder.
"This is a legal acquisition contract that our legal team drafted, if you ever wish to forcibly acquire Nexus as a subsidiary company. Since their stocks have plummeted, we have bought some that are available at market price. Currently, you have 27% company shares. You are the second biggest shareholder of Nexus as of the moment." Selena the proceeds to show Dana some of Nexus data and records of the stocks.
"Good. Continue to buy more stocks secretly. Although Nexus is on the verge of bankrupt, they are still one of the most leading Pharmaceutical companies in France. We'll take advantage of their situation. Once we've acquired the company, there is no need to fire all the employees. Just clean up the directors and select a few from our team. Send someone from the London headquarters too."
"That is noted, madame." Selena then takes notes to her planner. Marie also wrote down things before handling another folder to Dana.
"This is the full contract collaboration with Serviel. I have adjusted the date and other details based on your orders, check to see if nothing is wrong and I'll send them the contract."
"Yes, this is all good. You can send them tomorrow. Have them ready for the press conference. Tell the PR department to make sure that there will be mishaps during the event. I will be attending personally. And I want a smooth transfer for Nexus, as for Serviel, I plan on transferring this project to my brother. I will ask father for approval." Dana nodded as she handed the folder back to Marie.
"Yes madame. Understood." Marie noted it carefully.
"Also, Could you clear up my schedule for the next day, preferably after the press conference? I want to take a day off and roam around Paris. I want to unwind and relax." Dana ordered then while sipping her tea.
"Just yourself madame?" Selena inquired.
"Yes. You need not worry, I am fine. I can take care of myself. How about this… you three also take the day of and have a vacation. After this, we will be going back to London too, so this is your chance to take a break." Dana enthusiastically suggested.
Marie and Selena glanced at each other before giving Dana a look. Knowing that they had no choice on the matter, they just accepted it.
"Okay. Then do you need me to book you on any facilities?" Marie made a note.
"No need. I won't have a fixed Itinerary. I'll just do some tour, eat at cafes and perhaps do some activities that I must stumble around." Dana shook her head.
"Everything is settled. I'll just inform Hanna about this. You should call it a day, madame. It is now a quarter past ten. You should go to sleep." Selena suggested as she and Marie stood up to leave.
Looking at the time on the grandfather's clock in the study, Dana also nodded in understanding. She also stood up and dismissed them. Marie and Selena bid their goodbye and left. Dana, who was left all alone, turned off her computer, then also left the study.
Just having left the room, Dana saw Martin waiting for her outside the bedroom door.
"Sir Martin, What is the matter?"
"Nothing. I forgot to give this to you. These are the files from Jacques and all relevant details. By the way, the chef and servant already left. And Hanna, Selena, and Marie followed. I'll be leaving in a minute, checking to make sure you are alright." Martin smiled at her as he relayed what happened.
"You should leave now then Sir Martin. I'll be fine. You still need to pack up for your flight tomorrow." Dana quickly dismissed him while taking not of the time.
"Well then, just call when you need help." Martin knew he couldn't win against the young lady, so after making sure she was now settled, he then left to pack for tomorrow.