Chapter 44

Caroline's POV "Caroline,I'm glad you came," Joseph Taylor greeted me,his voice warm but professional. "After I heard about your dismissal,I called Ryan yesterday. He didn't share details,but it seems Draven was being quite the hot-headed Alpha." I sat across from him in his spacious corner office at Puma Global,feeling Rory tense inside me. "Mr. Taylor,I wouldn't call Alpha Draven hot-headed," I replied carefully."But I didn't commit the offense I was accused of." "I believe you," he said simply,leaning forward. "I've known the Paynes for decades. Alpha Gerald wouldn't vouch for someone unless he was certain of their integrity. And if Gerald Payne thinks you're trustworthy,that's good enough for me." The way he spoke,with such certainty,made Rory relax slightly within me. Elle had dragged me out of bed this morning. When she suggested working at her company yesterday,I hesitated. Given Joseph Taylor's business ties with Thorne Enterprises,I feared running into Alpha Draven again. Wors