Total pages in book: 137
Estimated words: 126060 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 630(@200wpm)___ 504(@250wpm)___ 420(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 126060 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 630(@200wpm)___ 504(@250wpm)___ 420(@300wpm)
The giggles grew louder.
“Sadly, Geno, we’re in the middle of an incident,” Amaranthe said. “I was just about to call the parents of one of the students. She’s no longer welcome here. She was bullying a younger student, and when I told her to call her parents to take her home, she refused. That is grounds for her dismissal. Unfortunately, Ms. Marchel backed her and is insisting Jenny can stay and that the board will dismiss me.”
The air in the room seemed to be difficult to breathe. Tension built. Geno turned slowly to face Lyna Marchel. “You didn’t back the headmistress of the studio? In fact, you incited a student to go against her instructions?”
For a moment, Lyna’s lips trembled, but then she firmed them. “She overstepped her authority. She can’t throw out one of our highest-paying clients without board approval.”
“Actually, Ms. Marchel, that isn’t so. Had you read any of the many regulations the board sent you when we were trying to get you to take the job of head instructor for the studio, you would have known that.”
Lyna gave a little sniff of disdain. “What I do know is the board made a huge mistake choosing this woman as the head instructor. She may be brilliant at dance, but she has no business sense. You don’t cater to the poor students and simply dismiss the wealthy because they have a sense of entitlement. You learn to work with them.”
“You don’t believe in treating all students the same?” Geno asked, his voice pitched very low. That should have been a warning.
“No, of course not. They aren’t the same. She’s far too young to understand what it takes to run a successful dance studio and theater. Girls like Jordan”—she poured contempt into her voice—“may have some talent, but she’s handicapped and has no money. What’s the use of giving time and energy to her? Someone like Jenny, who is difficult and entitled, has talent and money and will go a long way given the right instructor. She would bring prestige to our school.”
Geno shook his head. “That isn’t what our mission statement is, Ms. Marchel.”
“Mission statements sound good for publicity and fund-raising, Mr. Ferraro,” Lyna said defiantly.
“It’s too bad that you feel that way, Ms. Marchel, after all the years you have worked for us. We’ve valued your time with us, so much so that we encouraged you to take the position as head instructor, but you adamantly refused. You’ve left me with no choice but to terminate your position.”
Lyna gasped. “You can’t do that.”
“I assure you I can.”
“Only the board can do that.”
Geno smiled at her—a predator’s smile. “You seem to forget we own the school. My brothers and I not only own the studio and theater, but we make up the majority of the board as well at the moment. You don’t read the fine print of the contracts you sign, Ms. Marchel, but you’re more than welcome to take the contract to a lawyer and they’ll do it for you. Please pack your belongings and vacate the premises immediately.”
He turned his back on her, clearly dismissing her. “Have you called the student’s parents? She can leave as soon as her parents get here.”
Jenny shook her head and crossed her arms over her chest. “I didn’t do anything. She’s lying.”
“You would like me to believe my fiancée is lying to me?”
Jenny paled. “Your fiancée?” she whispered.
Behind him, Lyna gasped. “What? No wonder she’s so sure of herself. I suppose I should have slept with you, and I could have gotten my way,” she declared in a sneering voice. “Girls, let that be a lesson to you. Sleep your way to the top.”
Jenny giggled.
Geno let his breath out in a long slow hiss of displeasure. “I would have let you leave with full pension, insurance for life, retirement, everything, but not now. You’ll find yourself with nothing when I’m finished with you. Get out before I have my men throw you out.”
His voice was pitched low, but so scary, Lyna turned and rushed out of the studio. Amaranthe laid her hand very gently on his forearm. She could feel the anger coiled hot and bright in him. Not only in him but in his brothers as well. Strangely, she felt that same anger emanating from his personal protectors on her behalf. They hadn’t liked the accusations Lyna Marchel had raised against her in front of her students any more than Geno had.
Don’t alarm the students or give Jenny any more fuel for gossip, she cautioned. These people want to alienate your family from all the businesses in your territory. This is exactly the kind of thing they can use.
We can turn the tables on them, he countered.
Amaranthe ignored Jenny and once again turned on the music so the girls would have something to begin their stretches to.