SHUT DOWN | JENLISA

5

Jennie

"What is it, Jessie?"

"Michael Dupont's secretary faxed over the latest contract." She went over the stack of paperwork and pulled out a brown file.

"And?"

She sighed and handed me the file. "And he didn't do any of the things that you asked for. It's exactly the way it was when he first sent it over for editing and negotiating."

"I see." I didn't bother opening the file. I trusted Jessie. "Men never learn, do they?" I tutted as I dropped it on my desk before leaning against it with my arms crossed. "Mino." I spoke.

"Yes, boss."

"Do you think we should give Mr. Dupont another chance?"

"I believe you gave him one too many chances. A man needs only one. Either he is with you or against you."

I hummed in response. "Yes. Yes, I believe you're right. He's not a very smart man, that much we know from our first meeting together. He really thinks that I don't understand him when he speaks in French. Thinks I'm an idiot. Am I an idiot?"

"No, boss. He disrespected you. He needs someone to teach him a lesson." Mino bit.

I nodded slowly. His time would come, but only when I said it did. I'd be the judge, jury, and executioner of Michael's petty and miserable life.

"Jessie, I need you to do a deep dive on his wife. I want to know if she'd be willing to work with me on our lingerie expansion in France, if her husband suddenly and permanently went missing. Surely, a sophisticated couple like them has some dirt hidden somewhere. And if there isn't, surely Eddie can manipulate something from nothing. Get it done."

"What should I reply to his secretary?"

"Nothing for now. I'm not heading back to France until I know for certain that we have some leverage. I won't be made into an idiot by someone as pathetic as Michael Dupont."

Jessie nodded her head and walked out of the office and back to her desk. I ran my fingers through my hair and straightened my stance.

"Let's go. I need to check on my dancers."

I waved over to Mino, who followed me out of my office. We took the elevator down to the underground parking, and I could feel the men that worked and served me loyally behind me as they came up from every corner and hallway possible.

Three Escalades were parked in sync underground, and one of my men opened the door for me and helped me in. I thanked them silently, and Mino sat close to me while another man drove us. A car in front of us and a car behind us for my full protection.

I did a weekly routine check on my clubs to ensure my dancers were doing well and that no one was bothering them. I had detailed security and bodyguards, but sometimes my dancers, especially the new ones, were too scared to report something.

I hadn't stripped in a while, but I still remember the fear and nervousness that came from complaining or even trying to defend myself. Just because they danced naked for money and entertainment didn't make them less human. My dancers were human beings and deserved respect like any other person out there working to make ends meet.