Chapter 3

I shot back immediately, "No way am I sleeping on the streets!"

How could I possibly go back to a lumpy recliner now that I was used to a multimillion-dollar mattress?

"And it's not like sleeping on the streets is free. Even there, you've gotta find a spot that doesn't cost anything. I checked—the space under the bridge in the south of the city only stops charging after 8:00 pm," I added.

The conference room went dead silent. Paul's mouth hung open, his fingers frozen on his calculator.

Meanwhile, Miranda stared at me like I'd lost my mind. "Taylor, are you really that dense, or are you playing dumb? When Sutton Group goes bankrupt, you're not getting a single cent!"

I muttered, "It's not like I'm taking money from the company now. I even poured 50 grand of my own in."

No one heard me.

Just then, the conference room door swung open. The board of directors was here.

The white-haired man in the lead was Mr. Ward, a veteran who'd worked alongside Mr. Sutton for 30 years. He didn't look at Stella when he came in. He went straight to Blake and nodded. "Mr. Johnson, sorry to keep you waiting."

Stella's heart sank. "Mr. Ward, what are you doing? You've worked with my father for 30 years!"

Mr. Ward sighed. "Stella, don't blame us. Sutton Group has tens of thousands of employees to feed and tens of thousands of families waiting on their paychecks. Whoever can keep this company alive, that's who we have to listen to.

"Miranda said that if she takes over, the Johnsons will put money in, and the company survives. You need to sign the agreement—it's the best outcome for everyone."

The shareholders behind him all started talking at once.

"Yeah, Ms. Stella. You've gotta live to fight another day."

"Even if you lose the shares, you can always start over somewhere else. But if you end up in jail, it's game over."

"Just take it as doing us old-timers a favor!"

They talked over each other, claiming it was for Stella's good, but every word was boxing her further into a corner.

Stella stood rooted to the spot, her back ramrod straight.

I knew that posture. The more upset she was, the straighter she stood. She refused to let outsiders see her crack.

Miranda's smile turned razor-sharp as she twisted the knife. "Stella, I'm not trying to force you into anything. This is just how things are."

Before she could say anything else, Stella's phone rang. She picked up, listened for a few seconds, and her face paled. "What do you mean his condition relapsed? …Okay, I'll arrange it right away. Use the best meds. Money isn't an issue…"

She hung up, her hands shaking so hard she almost dropped the phone.

Miranda leaned in at just the right moment. "Dad's medical bills are running through the company account, right? That account's getting frozen at midnight."

Blake checked his watch and chimed in, "It's already 11:00 pm, Ms. Stella. You've got one hour left."

Stella shut her eyes.

I stood in the corner, clutching the copy of that receipt tightly, my palms slick with sweat.

She couldn't sign. I didn't understand the legal jargon in that agreement, but I knew what it meant to transfer the shares for free.

If she signed, she wouldn't get a single cent.

I couldn't hold it in anymore. "Um… About the project funds…"

Miranda cut me off shrilly. "It's not your place to talk, Taylor! You're just a gold digger. Do you even know what equity is?"

"I don't," I admitted. I held up the receipt. "But this says 450 million was transferred into this account. I'm the one who made the transfer, but I never—"

Mr. Ward barked at me before I could finish. "That's enough! Stop causing trouble here! Somebody get her out!"

Two security guards started toward me.

Stella's eyes flew open. "Don't you dare touch her!"

She strode over and stepped in front of me, blocking the guards. Then she reached into the inside pocket of her jacket, pulled out a card, and pressed it into my hand. It was still warm from her body.

"Tay, the PIN is your birthday." Her voice was very soft, as if she were giving final instructions. "I might be in debt for the rest of my life. Take this, and you'll be set for life. You can live comfortably from here on out.

"Eat whatever you want—fine dining, steak, whatever. Just stop living off free samples. Once you walk out that door, don't look back. Joan is waiting for you in the parking garage."

I clutched the card, my throat tight. "Stella, I actually…"

She didn't let me finish. She turned to Miranda and said, "Once I sign, you have to keep your word. Wire money to Mom and Dad's hospital account, and leave Tay alone."

Miranda's eyes lit up. She slid the contract toward Stella. "Of course. I'm nothing if not a woman of my word."