Chapter 4

"Who are you calling trash?"

Eli was about to let Tristan have it, but Tristan lifted his chin and made an announcement to the entire office.

"Ms. Kessler and I are getting married soon. That means I'll have just as much authority here as she does. Think very carefully before you do something stupid. Don't throw away your job for someone who means nothing to you."

The employees who'd been ready to defend me immediately fell quiet.

Gary practically bowed.

"Tristan! Sorry, I mean Mr. Bellamy! That's incredible news. Congratulations!"

He turned to me with a sneer.

"Some people can't even follow a simple instruction to take out the trash. Who do they think they are, ignoring the future boss?"

"Just go, Declan," someone else said softly.

Looking at my colleagues, I bent down and picked up the keys.

I didn't blame them. People had bills to pay. Sometimes keeping food on the table meant swallowing your pride.

"Declan..." Eli sounded miserable.

I gave him a reassuring smile and left the office.

Once I was inside the truck, I opened the recording app on my phone. Tristan's proud declaration that he was marrying Darlene had been captured perfectly.

Then I called Helena Bishop.

"Ms. Bishop, is yesterday's offer still open?"

"Of course! Declan, the project-lead position is yours the moment you say yes. I'll double your salary."

Darlene and Tristan's flight to Santa Lucera was leaving in two hours.

Perfect timing.

I let out a breath and smiled.

"Then I'm in. I can start today. Have the contract ready."

...

On a beach in Coral Bay, Santa Lucera, Darlene Kessler lay stretched out on a lounge chair in a bikini.

Tristan was rubbing sunscreen across her back, a disdainful look on his face.

"That cheapskate Declan nearly had a meltdown over a heating bill. It's embarrassing how little he knows about enjoying life."

He gestured at the beach.

"Look at us. Free sunshine, ocean breeze. He'll never experience this kind of luxury."

"Don't bring up that nuisance. All he does is stir up the staff."

Darlene ran a hand over Tristan's stomach, admiring his abs.

"As soon as we get back and sign that deal, we'll fire all the old employees who won't listen. Then we'll hire a new batch of college grads who'll work for less."

They were still fantasizing about the future when Darlene noticed a group walking along the beach.

She sat straight up.

"Wait. Isn't that Ms. Bishop?"

She whipped off her sunglasses.

Helena Bishop was approaching in casual clothes, accompanied by several people.

Darlene scrambled out of her lounge chair, smiling as though she'd just spotted a winning lottery ticket.

"Ms. Bishop! What a coincidence! I can't believe we're meeting all the way out here!"

Helena stopped and turned, an unreadable smile on her face.

"Well, if it isn't Ms. Kessler."

Darlene could barely contain her excitement.

"Yes, that's me! About our million-and-a-half-dollar project, when can we sign? Once the financing comes through, we're ready to start immediately."

Helena raised an eyebrow.

"The project Declan was handling?"

"Exactly! It's a wonderful opportunity. With our companies working together--"

"Who said I was working with your company?"

Helena said it with a smile.

Darlene froze.

"I'm sorry? I thought we were ready to sign..."

"We were. But I was investing in the project because Declan was running it. He's joined my company now."

Helena's smile sharpened.

"Why would I partner with a business that can't even afford to heat its own office?"

The blood drained from Darlene's face.

"What? Declan... you hired him?"