Chapter 511 - Another Dress fitting, something not quite right

29 May, LY Studio, City K

With the help of her staff, Lexi manoeuvred her way into her office and onto the sofa before picking up the waiting paperwork. Before she could even get through the first doc.u.ment, she was interrupted by a knock on the door, and Karen walking in.

"Good to see you back here boss. I know that you are busy today, particularly with your friend and her fiancé coming in for their fittings and going over the batch of designs for the upcoming collections. But I wanted to update you about City Y store. A new team is getting in place, but the temporary team will remain there for a few more weeks. However, the manager and the other staff we have sacked have decided to fight their dismissals. I just wanted to inform you we have already engaged lawyers to represent us in their claims and provided all the various evidence we have, to justify their dismissals. Their preliminary position is we should win but have already indicated that we should consider the public relations aspect of the case and be ready to offer a confidential financial settlement."

"Settle with them, you have to be kidding with the damage that they were doing to my business that I would do that."

"That was my thought boss, but we must consider the costs, both financially but more importantly the impact on the brand. You know our brand positioning…"

"I do."

"I agree with the assessment from the lawyers that we have engaged that there is a wider consequence, particularly with ready to wear target demographic, who are social media savvy. I have been speaking to the Public Relations people, and they are already telling me that we need to settle this as soon as we can and manage the social media part of this."

"That is what they are paid to do."

"It is boss, but those we fired have made a few social media posts badmouthing LY. The PR team has posted in response that this was about employment disputes and that we would not comment until they were settled. The lawyers issued warning letters about such comments and what we might do, to control what they do on social media. Hopefully, that will stop anything else, but for how long we cannot predict."

"You know I do not give into blackmail."

"Boss, it is not about giving into blackmail. We need to be pragmatic about what we end up doing. I just want to let you know where things are at because you need to consider what we will do. I put in the reports there," with that she pointed to the pile of paperwork, "a preliminary assessment report from the lawyers and the PR people have put their recommendations on how to handle the situation."

"In other words, you want a quick decision."

Shaking her head, Karen said "No boss, you just need to think about it. The first hearing, which is a preliminary hearing, is not for a couple of more weeks, and you will not have to decide even then. But as they say, the earlier a decision is made and a settlement reached, if that is how we go, the less financial cost and PR issues it will create."

Lexi closed her eyes, shook her head, before saying, with a laugh "You will be the death of me…"

"Hey Boss, do not curse me. You made the decision that resulted in your injuries, not me…"

Lexi closed her eyes for a few seconds before opening them up, picked up a cushion and threw it towards Karen before saying, "Get our of here, but get one of the design team to come in please."

Chuckling Karen said, giving Lexi a mock salute and laughing "Yes Sir."

Lexi shook her head laughing. As Karen walked out of her office, Lexi knew that she had made the right decision in coming in. She needed to have some normality in her life.

Over the next couple of hours, she worked through the design issues for upcoming collections with the design team, before focusing on the administrative paperwork that was needed dealt with. As she sat reading report after report Lexi realised that how quick things can built up when she is not in the office day upon day. It firmed to her, her previous discussions with Karen about appointing various staff to manage the day to day matters of LY, and allow her to concentrate on what she needed to, the core of LY, the design of collections and the selection of materials. Picking up a note pad, Lexi started making a few notes on what was needed for her business.

Before she could get too far her office door opened, and Joan walked in with David Hwang trailing behind her. "Lexi, you wanted to see us?"

"See you Joan. I have another fitting for you with your address given the adjustments we made." Lexi turned her head looking directly at David Hwang, adding "And you need to try on your suit so that I can determine what is needed."

Before she could even call out for assistance, David Hwang moved over and lifted Lexi into her wheelchair. As he did this, the way he looked and touched her as he was doing it, made her feel completely uncomfortable. Something did not feel right about the whole situation, but for Joan's sake Lexi felt that she could not indicate her concerns.

She was wheeled into the main design area, where Joan and David Hwang were whisked away into separate areas for their fittings and were brought in and out of the area to allow Lexi to assess the suit and dresses, making adjustments as needed, before they left.

On leaving the LY studio and getting into their car, Joan turned to David and said, "What was that move about?"

"Other than making her uncomfortable, and getting a reaction out of you?"

"How…"

"Did I know you reacted. I saw the look on your eyes. You wanted me to have s*x with you while your friend had to watch, given her condition. Darling, that look in your eyes made me want the same thing. But she it too much of a prude. There was, however a much more important reason. I got transmitting devices on her wheelchair, which likely will be taken into her room as a means to see if her husband talks to her about things."

"Good to think about those things, but do you really think Matthew is that stupid?"

"Most likely not, but these will go into their bedroom, unlike those you were able to get into the villa."

"True, but speaking about bedroom, how about we get home and go there unless you have somewhere else to be…"

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