‘We’ll see about that,’ said Johnny coolly. ‘Can you get this Spencer on the phone, please, Grace?’

Grace found Spencer’s number and called it, handing her phone to Johnny. Spencer must have been vetting his calls because the call went through to Alli again. Grace and Andy listened to Johnny say, ‘This is Jonathon Pangisar of the Kamasan Group speaking. I wish to speak to Spencer Campbell immediately.’ After a short pause, another voice came on the line.

‘Spencer. Jonathon Pangisar here. How good of you to take my call. We’ve all had rather a nasty surprise here this morning.’

They listened as Spencer spoke on the other end, but Johnny cut him off.

‘I’ll be blunt. My family, and the Kamasan management, and MGI, are most unhappy about this turn of events. We are dispensing with The Carson Agency’s services as of this moment. I am offering to pay your agency a fair severance fee to cover your losses so you won’t be out of pocket. Also, I intend to hire Grace Hagen. Please be advised that she will be handing in her notice immediately, and we expect that you will free her from her contract with no conditions.’

The sounds of an outraged Spencer came down the line, but once more Johnny cut him off. ‘I suggest you take me up on the generous offer we will make your agency. Unless, of course, you want to take on not just the Pangisar family lawyers, but also MGI’s lawyers? I hate to think how that would play out . . .’ There was a long silence on the other end before Spencer said something in reply. And then Johnny hung up and smirked. ‘Spencer saw reason, funnily enough.’

He reached over and picked up Grace’s boarding pass and crumpled it in his fist.

‘You are now on your own, Ms Hagen, commissioned by MGI directly and responsible to me. We’ll sort out the paperwork later. Now, let’s get out of here and celebrate. I haven’t been to bed yet. Big day for you, Grace . . . Oh, and text me your bank details so we can send you some operational funds. We don’t need you stressing out further.’ He started to walk towards the door of the lounge then stopped and turned to Grace, who was following behind, her bag in hand. ‘I heard you’ve been hoping to get your daughter and mother over here – let’s get that done, too. I’ll have someone contact you about it.’

Tears of gratitude sprang to Grace’s eyes but she quickly blinked them away.

‘Thank you. This means a lot to me,’ she said simply.

Johnny dropped his arm around her shoulders as Andy reached for her carry-on bag.

‘Let’s get something to eat,’ Johnny said. ‘I need rice, fish and lots of coffee after last night.’

Chapter 7

7