All Chapters of Desiree mixed genre collection : Chapter 21 - Chapter 30

Loire's POVI walked into Tony Enterprises and tried to look like I belonged there even though the last time I was here I was still stupid enough to believe Silver when he said forever and that was five years ago before everything went to hell.The receptionist looked up from her computer and said my name like a question."Ms. France? Mr. Tony is expecting you on the thirtieth floor."I didn't say thanks and just went to the elevator and watched the numbers go up while I checked my reflection in the brass doors and reminded myself that I was Loire France now and not the girl who used to cry in Gabriele's bathroom because I couldn't figure out what I did wrong.The elevator opened and I walked down the hall and his secretary waved me toward his office without looking up so I pushed the doors open without knocking.Silver was standing at the window with his back to me and when he turned around I felt something twist in my chest but I ignored it because that was the old Loire and she wa

Loire's POVI walked for three hours until my feet hurt and my phone kept buzzing but I ignored it while the city moved around me and I kept my head down trying not to think about Gabriele or Silver or any of it.When I finally stopped I was standing in front of a bar I used to go to with Silver back when we were happy and back when I thought forever actually meant something so I went inside.The bartender didn't recognize me and I ordered whiskey and sat in the corner booth where Silver proposed five years ago and the wood was scratched up now and someone had carved initials into the table that weren't ours.|My phone lit up with Frank's name."What do you want?""Loire. I've been trying to reach you.""I've been busy.""Too busy to hear about how Silver's planning to steal your software?" Papers rustled on his end. "Meet me in one hour at Castellano Tower.""Why should I trust you?""Because Elena already told you not to and Silver's been calling you nonstop and everyone wants to co

Loire's POVSilver's lawyer arrived at midnight wearing a suit that probably cost more than my first car and carrying a briefcase that looked like it weighed thirty pounds."Show me everything." He dropped the briefcase on Silver's dining table and opened it.I spread out Frank's documents with the forged signatures and the backdated contracts and the transfer agreements that said I'd sold him forty percent of my company.Michael put on reading glasses and went through each page while his pen moved fast across a legal pad and Silver paced behind him and I stood by the window watching the city lights."This is good work." Michael looked up. "Whoever forged these knew what they were doing because the signatures match and the dates line up and without proof that you were somewhere else on these dates a judge might believe them.""I have proof." I pulled out my phone. "Calendar entries and credit card statements and security footage from my building and I can account for every day he's cl

Loire's POVThree weeks passed with three dinners. Three times I told myself it meant nothing but on the fourth week Silver showed up at my office unannounced.My assistant buzzed saying Mr. Tony was here and that it was urgent."Send him in."Silver walked through the door holding a manila envelope and his tie was loose and his eyes were red."We need to talk." He dropped the envelope on my desk.I pulled out the papers inside and saw financial statements and transaction records all from Tony Enterprises and every single one showed money being moved to offshore accounts I didn't recognize."Someone's been embezzling from my company for months." He sat down. "I only found out this morning when my accountant flagged the transfers.""How much?""Three million so far.""Who has access to your credentials?""My assistant and my CFO and my head of security." He rubbed his face. "And Gabriele."My stomach dropped. "What?""She worked for me three years ago and she still has admin access to

Loire's pov The cameras were still rolling when my phone rang. Elena.I answered on speaker. "Did you watch?""You just made the biggest mistake of your life." Her voice was shaking. "I warned you.""No Elena. You threatened us. There's a difference." I looked at the cameras. "And now everyone knows what you did.""They know what you claimed I did. You have no proof."Silver stepped closer to the phone. "We have Jessica's testimony. We have the blocked numbers. We have Michael Chen tracing everything back to you.""That won't hold up in court. I covered my tracks.""Maybe." I watched the reporters taking notes. "But public opinion doesn't need a court. It just needs a story. And you just gave us a good one."Silence on the other end. Then breathing. Heavy and fast."Frank trusted you." Elena's voice cracked. "Both of you. And you destroyed him.""Frank destroyed himself." Silver's jaw tightened. "He made choices. Bad ones. We didn't force him to forge documents or embezzle money.""Y