7 Trial by Telephone
Hazel’s POV
The last thing I expected during my second day at Sterling Group was to be asked out on a date. Yet here I was, staring awkwardly at Finn from IT, his hopeful expression making me squirm in
mmy seat.
“So, what do you say? Dinner this Friday?” he asked again, fidgeting with the company phone he’d just delivered.
I smiled politely. “That’s really sweet, Finn, but I’m still settling in. Plus, I have my son to think about.”
His face fell slightly. “Oh! You have a son? I didn’t know.”
“Yes, Leo. He’s two and keeps me pretty busy” I held up the phone. “Thanks for setting this up.”
Finn nodded, accepting the gentle rejection. “No problem. If you need anything else tech–related, just call the helpdesk and ask for me.”
As he walked away, Evelyn approached with an amused smile. “First day and already breaking hearts?”
I laughed. “Hardly. Just being honest.”
“Smart move keeping your personal life separate from work,” she said, placing a stack of files on my desk. “These need Mr. Sterling’s signature when he returns tomorrow”
The phone Finn had just delivered rang suddenly, startling us both. I checked the screen- STERLING, LIAM.
My stomach dropped. The boss himself, calling on my second day.
“Remember, Evelyed, “confidence is key.”
I took a deep breath and answered. “Mr. Sterling’s office, Hazel Vance speaking.”
“Who the hell are you and where is Evelyn?” The voice was deep, commanding, and unmistakably irritated.
“I’m Mr. Sterling’s new executive assistant. Evelyn is right here if you’d like to speak with her.”
“Put her on immediately. His tone was clipped, bordering on rude.
I glanced at Evelyn, who nodded encouragingly. But something about his dismissive attitude sparked a flare of defiance in me. I needed this job desperately–rent wasn’t cheap and Leo deserved stability–but I wouldn’t be treated like dirt.
“I’d be happy to connect you, but first may I ask who’s calling?” I kept my voice professionally
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7 Trial by Telephone
sweet.
A tense pause followed. “This is Liam Sterling. Your boss.”
“I apologize, Mr. Sterling, but I need to verify all callers before transferring them. Company protocol.”
“Are you seriously questioning who I am?” His voice rose. “I don’t have time for this nonsense.”
That did it. No job was worth being spoken to like this.
“Then perhaps, sir, you should try being more polite to the person managing your schedule and calls. Have a nice day.” I hung up.
Evelyn’s eyes widened to the size of saucers. “You didn’t just hang up on Liam Sterling”
My
momentary courage evaporated. “Oh God. I did, didn’t I?” I covered my face with my hands. “I’m going to be fired before I even meet him.”
To my surprise, Evelyn burst out laughing. “In twenty–five years, I’ve never seen anyone stand up to him like that!”
“This isn’t funny! I need this job!”
She patted my shoulder. “He tests people, Hazel. Pushes until they break. Most assistants grovel and apologize. You pushed back.”
The phone rang again. I stared at it like it might explode.
“Answer it,” Evelyn urged. “He respects backbone more than obedience.
I swallowed hard and picked up. “Mr. Sterling’s office.”
“Put Evelyn on. Now.” His voice was dangerously calm.
I handed the phone to Evelyn, my hand shaking slightly.
“Yes, Liam?” she said cheerfully. “I see you’ve met Hazel… Yes… No… Actually, I think she handled. that perfectly.” She winked at me. “She’s exactly what you need… Yes, here she is.”
She passed the phone back to me, whispering, “Don’t back down.”
I took another steadying breath. “Mr. Sterling?”
“Miss Vance,” he said, emphasizing my name with barely contained irritation. “Let me make something perfectly clear, I don’t appreciate being hung up on by employees I’m paying generously to assist me.”
“And I don’t appreciate being spoken to disrespectfully, I countered, my heart pounding. “I understand you’re my boss, but common courtesy should still apply”
Another tense silence.
7 Trial by Telephone
“You’ve got nerve,” he finally said. Was that a hint of amusement in his voice? “Tell me, Miss Vance, do you often make a habit of talking back to your employers?”
“Only when necessary, sir,” I replied, gaining confidence. “I’m exceptionally good at my job. I’m organized, efficient, and I anticipate needs before they arise. But I work with people, not for
them.”
Evelyn gave me a thumbs up, grinning broadly.
“Is that so?” Mr. Sterling’s tone shifted subtly
anticipate this need: I require the Morgan.
proposal on my desk with a complete analysis by 8 AM tomorrow.”
“Already done, sir. I emailed it to you last night with my notes highlighting potential risk factors. and three alternative strategies.”
Another pause. Longer this time.
“The Yamamoto meeting?”
“Rescheduled to accommodate his early departure. All attendees have confirmed.”
“The quarterly reports?”
“Compiled, reviewed, and ready for your approval. I also took the liberty of preparing a summary presentation for the board.”
I could almost hear him searching for something to challenge me on.
“You seem quite… prepared,” he admitted grudgingly.
“That’s what you pay me for, Mr. Sterling”
“Indeed. Another pause. “You still shouldn’t have hung up on me.”
“And you shouldn’t have been rude,” I countered. “Perhaps we could both improve our phone etiquette?”
Evelyn was now silently clapping, clearly enjoying the show.
“Miss Vance, he said, his voice dropping to a dangerously soft tone, “you’re either exceptionally brave or incredibly foolish. I haven’t decided which yet.”
“I prefer ‘efficient, sir. Speaking of which, is there anything else you need before your return tomorrow? Perhaps some chamomile tea? You sound rather tense.
Timmediately regretted my sarcastic suggestion, but it was too late to take it back.
“Chamomile tea?” he repeated slowly. “Are you mocking me, Miss Vance?”
“Not at all. Just concerned for your well–being: I replied, trying to recover. “Stress management is important for executives.”
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7 Trial by Telephone
“I manage my stress just fine” he growled. “What I don’t need is psychoanalyze me over the phone.”
an assistant who thinks she can
“I wouldn’t dream of it, sir. I leave the psychoanalysis to professionals. I just handle your schedule, correspondence, and apparently, your temper”
The silence that followed was deafening. I’d definitely crossed a line.
“Be prepared for when I return, Miss Vance!” The threat hung in the air for a moment before the line went dead.
I placed the phone down carefully, as if it might bite me. “I’m going to be looking for a new job by tomorrow, aren’t I?”
Evelyn shook her head, still smiling. “On the contrary. I think you’re exactly what he needs. Someone who won’t cower or break.
“He sounded furious.
“That’s his normal state,” she assured me. “But trust me, he’s impressed. Most people are too terrified to challenge him. You did, and you backed it up with competence.”
I tried to believe her, but my stomach was in knots. Tomorrow I would finally meet the infamous Liam Sterling face to face. After this phone call, that prospect was equal parts terrifying and oddly exhilarating.
“Come on,” Evelyn said, guiding me toward her desk. “Let’s continue with the training. You’ll need all the preparation you can get before the hurricane that is Liam Sterling makes landfall
tomorrow.”
I nodded and followed her, wondering what I’d gotten myself into. One thing was certain–my new boss was unlike anyone I’d ever encountered. Tomorrow would either be the beginning of a challenging professional relationship or the end of my brief career at Sterling Group.
Either way, I wouldn’t go down without a fight.
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