Adam turned to Kate with an amused smile.
"Go and invite her to join us for dinner. Show her you know how to be a good hostess... And just so you know, after dinner, in her own words, we're extending the evening. Feel free to join us. I promise to let you finish with her what you started with Anna." He said and saw Caricatura give a discreet smile. Everyone else didn't like having to eat in front of a stranger.
Even though she was very angry, Kate got up and went to get the woman. She was sitting huddled in a corner of the room, looking terrified. Kate rolled her eyes. Adam had brought the elegant dessert. She recognized it. The secretary wasn't exactly poor, and she wondered where Adam had found her. But she liked what she saw. She had a beautiful body and plump lips. Kate knew she was a werewolf. And she must be a virgin. She licked her lips, relishing the possibility.
"You don't need to be afraid. You're safe here. The Alpha takes care of his guests." She said and looked at the fine cloth suit the woman was wearing. "You're spending the night here, and you didn't bring any clothes?"
"I'll come home in the same clothes as when I got here. During the night, I don't think I'll need them."
The woman said it so naturally that Kate looked at her again. She was pretty, with a fit body and well-groomed skin, but that wasn't what caught Adam's eye. It was her boldness. He didn't doubt that the invitation had come from her, just as he had when Adam had told him to invite her, as if she were the hostess. She was an independent woman, determined, and certainly uninhibited and aware of her beauty. Adam liked going out with women like that, but it never lasted more than one night. She needn't have worried. She was just a distraction for the big boss.
"Come and join us for dinner." Kate said with a smile that the woman believed to be friendly, but was actually a smile of joy, because she would be just another toy to Adam. She doubted that he would invite her to breakfast, either, and even that he would let her spend the rest of the evening after he was satisfied.
As soon as they sat down at the table, Adam let the woman sit next to him, but didn't introduce her. He didn't know her name and wasn't interested either. He smiled kindly at her.
"I thought we were having dinner alone, in a restaurant..." She said, but without really bothering.
"I have a few things to discuss here, and then we'll extend the evening. I find it more pleasant to have a meal when I know most of the people who sit with me." He finished saying these words, and the cooks came and set the table. Soon, everyone was having dinner and chatting among themselves about amenities, until Adam, who liked to just observe, caught Caricatura's eye, and as soon as he looked at him, he asked quietly;
"Have you set in motion what I told you to do with the three people who rejected me?"
"I called them in for a chat alone, which they believe will be just me and them. I thought it best to finish the job at once. By this time tomorrow your will will have been fulfilled."
"What about the other matter?"
"We're all ready. All your men, without exception, are already preparing for the weekend."
"I hope they don't leave me out this time." Alexandre said with a look of revolt. He had wanted to go in the fight against the Alpha's cousin, but hadn't been allowed.
Adam nodded in satisfaction, then turned to Sarah, who had arrived there in silence and felt around, pretending she wasn't there. Thinking that she would pass by unnoticed. She had sat down as soon as Kate had left to fetch the visitor.
"What about you, Sarah? Didn't Kate inform you that you're no longer welcome here? Do you need my men to throw you out of the gate?" He asked measuredly, as if talking about the weather.
"Boss..." She said and tears streamed down her face. But that didn't move him. "Let me stay. I have nowhere else to go. I'm afraid to even leave here, because they might believe we're still related and kill me... You know, your uncle, your mother, your cousin..."
"We were never related. I've done a lot for you. I've done a lot beyond our agreement, because in it we didn't agree that you should stay in this house."
"I know that. I recognize your generosity, but I beg you not to throw me out on the street. I wouldn't even be able to get a job. Who would employ and provide shelter for a woman who is no longer young? I know I don't look the age I am, but I'm not a werewolf, I can't handle heavy work anymore. Sending me away is like sentencing me to death, and I'm useful. You need a witch."
Adam looked thoughtful and then, seeming to have an idea, turned to Jenna.
"Just today, you told me in the kitchen that we needed to hire someone to wash the toilets, because the maid and you weren't able to do everything yourself. Has that position already been filled?"
Jenna immediately understood what he was trying to do and liked it very much.
"No. I haven't even put the ad up yet."
He then turned with a smile to Sarah and saw with satisfaction that she had understood his claim and was terrified.
"Look, we've found the solution to your problems, Sarah! But in order for me to admit you, you have to be aware of a few changes. You won't be able to use the pool, except on the day that everyone here takes off to jump in the water. You'll be sleeping in the maids' wing. Maybe she'll share a room with Judite, the cook. I don't know how our facilities are. You will obey all orders from Jenna, who is my housekeeper and someone I trust. You won't be allowed near the kitchen either. You'll ask one of the cooks for what you need. I don't trust you not to poison us or spit in our food. The poison wouldn't hurt me, but it could give the others a stomach ache, and... You'll eat in the room in the staff wing of this house. And you'll receive a fair wage for your services... Do you accept?"