Fortune Is a Woman Read Online Free PDF

Why?”
    Lydia rolled over and sat up.
    “Lydia Beaumont. You answer me. You wanted to get rid of her?”
    “Helaine, we…I transferred her. People get transferred at the firm all the time.”
    “Well, that’s just bullshit, Lydia. What do you think I am? A dumb blond? Why would you transfer your top girl? Look at me. Why?”
    They locked eyes. Lydia went for her robe. Helaine went for hers.
    “Hiding her somewhere is not a resolution, Lydia. Believe me. I’m the expert here. That will only make it worse.”
    “What are you talking about? Why do you care?”
    “You know what I’m talking about and I care because Venus is a fine young woman and she doesn’t deserve this–this–Treadwell treachery.”
    Lydia flinched. “There were rumors and speculation. I didn’t want you to–”
    “I already heard them, Lydia! It was not a problem. This will make it a problem. You will miss each other. Long for each–”
    “Helaine!”
    Helaine stood quietly now, grasping her robe.
    Lydia spoke calmly. “It’s done. It can’t be undone. Venus seems fine with it.”
    Helaine sat on the edge of the bed. “And you? You miss her terribly, don’t you?”
    Lydia sat beside her. “Helaine, really. I’m fine with it. You’re the only one I could ever miss like that and you know it.”
    _____
     
    “Well, you’re a fool, Kristenson. You want those ladies together?”
    “Treadwell, I can’t abide by this solution. It will have an opposite effect, I can assure you. I’ve seen it happen before.”
    “It’s done, Kristenson. Beaumont’s happy with her new assistant. The end.”
    “If she’s so happy with him, why doesn’t she say so?”
    “What–she discusses everything with you?”
    “Yes.”
    “Oh.”
    _____
     
    “Beaumont, tell your blond bomb how happy you are with your new assistant. That’s an order.”
    Lydia rolled her eyes and laughed. Cocktail party at the Treadwell’s. She felt a little tipsy tonight. “Why should I do that? I despise his incompetent, lazy ass.”
    “You told her that?”
    “No. I thought it better to say nothing at all. What’s this about anyway?”
    “Kindly tell her how happy everybody is with the arrangement and get her off my ass.”
    “Hah! I’ll try that, Paula. I’m sure it’ll make a big difference coming from me.”
    “Good–are you drunk?”
    “I am.”
    “I don’t think I’ve ever seen you drunk, Beaumont. Where is Helaine tonight?”
    “She didn’t want to come, Paula. She loathes us. Our stunning lack of decency and ethics and loyalty and honesty and integrity and–”
    “Ugh. Well, see what you can do. I’d better get you some coffee.”
    _____
     
    “Kristenson, why is this so important to you?”
    “A number of reasons, not the least of which is that I don’t want you meddling in my personal affairs or complicating them.”
    “And I don’t want you meddling in the corporation’s affairs. So you can see how we are at cross purposes here.”
    “Treadwell, you say you did this for my benefit, therefore it is my business.”
    “What is it about me you don’t like, Kristenson? I bend over backwards to please you.”
    “I have a client due in five minutes. That isn’t enough time to tell you.”
    “Oh, come on, Helaine. What do you actually like about me then?”
    “Well, that I have time for since the list is so short.”
    “Yes? Go on?”
    “Paula, I like that you’re indomitable. Fishing for compliments this afternoon? That must mean you have some guilt over the matter.”
    “What is done is done and it can’t be undone. Good day, Dr. Kristenson. I like that you’re indomitable, too. Sometimes.” (click)
     

Chapter 6
    Feared, Hated, Despised and Loved
     
    Lydia Beaumont wore a platinum band on her wedding finger. So did Helaine Kristenson. They probably never took them off. Venus had despised her wedding band and was not too eager to wear one again, although Sebastion, who had never been married before, frequently dropped hints