เข้าสู่ระบบThe meeting ended earlier than expected. By the time I returned to my office, Tessa was waiting beside my desk with my updated schedule. “Your two o’clock meeting has been moved to tomorrow,” she informed me. “The overseas investors have confirmed the call for four, and Mr. Bennett would like to discuss the revised acquisition proposal before the end of the day.” “Have him send the documents to my email. I’ll review them tonight.” Tessa glanced at her tablet. “You also have dinner with the Singapore delegation at seven.” I thought about it for a moment. “Ask Whitmore to attend in my place,” I said. She looked up. “You want to cancel?” “Delegate it.” I corrected. “All right.” She made a note. “Is there anything else you’d like me to move?” “No. That’s enough.” Tessa studied me for a moment before asking, “Are you going home?” “Yes.” She didn’t comment, but I caught the faintest hint of amusement in her expression. “What?” “Nothing, sir.” “Then why are
For the first time in months, business was finally looking up. The reports sitting in front of me finally contained more good news than problems. Our latest quarterly figures showed steady growth, improvement in investor confidence, and two major deals that had been delayed during the scandal Eva caused had finally gone through. Dhark Holdings was recovering. More importantly, it was recovering without my having to spend every waking hour putting out fires started by a woman who had once claimed to love me. I glanced at the financial report on the conference table while our chief financial officer walked the board through the figures. “Revenue has increased by twelve percent compared to the previous quarter,” he explained. “Our overseas investments are performing better than projected, and the renewed confidence from our existing investors has opened the door to several new opportunities.” A few members of the board exchanged pleased looks. Director Whitmore nodded. “E
I couldn’t get out of that courtroom fast enough. The moment the judge adjourned the hearing, I gathered my things and walked out without looking at anyone. I could feel the reporters’ eyes following me, and hear their whispers behind me. I hated them. I hated the cameras, the questions, the judgment in their eyes. Most of all, I hated the fact that every single person in that courtroom seemed to believe Claire Moreau was some kind of saint while I was the villain in her little sob story. Claire had stood there with her perfect posture and that infuriatingly composed expression, insinuating things about me as though she had never done anything wrong in her entire life. The woman had a talent for making herself look like a saint. I pushed through the courthouse doors and spotted my lawyers waiting beside the black SUV parked near the entrance. My lead attorney, Mr. Harrison, was speaking to his associate when he noticed me approaching. He immediately opened the rear d
The drive to the police station gave me more time to think about Caroline. I didn’t like coincidences, especially when they involved people who had already demonstrated a willingness to hurt someone. Claire sat beside me, staring through the window. “You’re thinking about her again,” I said. She glanced at me. “Who?” “Caroline.” She sighed. “Is it that obvious?” “Only because you’ve been staring at the same building for the last three minutes.” She turned away from the window. “I don’t know what to think about her anymore. We were best friends for years, Margot. I knew her family. She knew mine. We shared a room, studied together, and talked about our futures as though we’d be part of each other’s lives forever.” “And then she betrayed you.” “Yes.” “People don’t always stop being dangerous simply because we once loved them.” Claire was quiet. I didn’t want to make her more suspicious than the evidence warranted, but neither could I afford to let her nosta
I settled into my chair behind my desk and gestured for Claire to take the seat opposite me. She sat down, placed her briefcase beside her, and exhaled. “I have a feeling the rumors are only going to get worse.” I had expected that to be the first thing out of her mouth. “I’ve seen them.” I said. “Then you know what they’re saying.” “That you slept with professors in exchange for grades. That you used inappropriate relationships to advance your academic career. That the photograph of you with a Professor is proof of something improper.” I listed. Her jaw tightened. “It’s ridiculous!” “I agree.” “I never dated a professor, Margot. I never slept with one!” I nodded. “I know.” “Then why does it feel as though I have to keep defending myself against something that never happened?” I watched her for a moment. Because I knew the answer. People often believed the accusation they heard first. By the time the truth arrived, many had already decided what they wanted to
The first thing I noticed when I walked into Sinclair & Co. was the silence. Not the usual, comfortable silence of a busy office where everyone was too occupied to talk. This was the kind of silence that took over when a room full of people saw something they hadn’t expected. I stood just inside the entrance, my cane firmly planted beside my right foot as I watched them. Jonathan was the first to notice me. He stopped halfway through a conversation with Laurel, his mouth falling open slightly. Then Laurel turned around, and her eyes widened. “Oh, my God.” I smiled. “Good morning to you too, Laurel.” She hurried toward me so quickly that I almost laughed. “Margot!” Jonathan followed, looking as though he couldn’t decide whether to hug me or inspect me for signs of a miraculous recovery. “You’re standing.” “An astute observation, Jonathan.” “No, I mean—you’re actually standing.” “I assure you, I’m not floating.” Laurel laughed again, but her eyes had already







