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Prologue

Evin

“So, this is what the newest Executive Vice President extraordinaire does to earn the coveted corner office and obscene salary You sit around and watch television?”

I dragtoday’s business news to find Jackson Hart leaning against rin

“Pull up a chair and I’ll find the Hallmark Channel”

He chuckles, co to sit across fro”

“Too bad, I’m told the cozy mysteries are the shit”

He leans back, casting a glance around ht your fancy promotion came with a full-time assistant Maybe they could help youClients with millions of dollars in invest like a hobo”

I crack a smile and shake my head “Is that why you’re here? About the assistant position?”

“Can’t a guy visit his friend without an ulterior motive?”

I quirk an eyebrow, unmoved by his false sentiment Jackson is a transplant from one of our branches and joined our teao and we hit it off Our stories are sie and worked our way up

While my position heads up the Financial Assets and Portfolio Division, he serves as General Counsel and Chief Resource Liaison Which means he’s responsible for the Human Resources team

He’s wicked-sharp, highly educated, and all-around liked by all It’s not unusual for him to drop by and shoot the shit In the last months, we’ve for, he’s typically all business, which is why he’s here about my recent denial to take on a full-time assistant

“Okay, the position is one reason I’m here,” he admits

“I’ether, and her tie, we’ll reassess before budgets”

His expression grows serious as he sits forward, propping his elbows on his knees “Evin, the sixty to seventy-hour weeks can’t continue Having a dedicated person to take some of the load will free up some of your time”

“You been talking to my mom and sister?”

“No, but sounds like they see the writing on the wall, too”

“What writing is that?”

“Burnout, fatigue, stress, premature anxiety, all the textbook symptoms”

“Ahhh, here coical assessment side of Dr Hart” He hates the reference, Dr Hart He’s nowhere near a true doctor, but his years of training on employee behaviors make him somewhat of an expert

“Would be falling onof my employees seriously”

“Jackson, I’ into when I decided on this career But I also kno to make the break”

This is mostly true

He studies me for a second and nods his acceptance “I’ll note that as an issue to be discussed at a future date We’ll readdress in a month”

“Whatever you say What else is on your mind?”