Tous les chapitres de : Chapitre 21 - Chapitre 30

Nyla sat in her father's study the morning after discovering Thomas had fled with two hundred million dollars. Grace stood by the window looking exhausted. James paced back and forth, his phone pressed to his ear, talking to lawyers who kept saying the same useless things.When he finally hung up, Grace spoke first."We need to find Thomas before this becomes public. If the board finds out he stole two hundred million and we did nothing, they will lose confidence in your leadership."James nodded. "I know. But how do we find him without involving the police?""Hire a private investigator," Nyla said. "Someone discreet. Who specializes in tracking people internationally.""That could take months," James said."It is better than having this splashed across every newspaper," Nyla pointed out. "Harper Industries stock will crash if investors find out we were robbed from the inside."Grace agreed. "Nyla is right. We need to handle this quietly. I know someone. A former FBI agent who now wo

Eric stared at her. Waiting. Desperate for any answer that was not no."One good reason," Nyla repeated. "Why should I come back to you?""Because I love you," Eric said immediately."You love me? Or you love what I can do for you?""Both. I mean—" Eric stopped. Wiped his face again. "I love you, Nyla. I know I have done a terrible job of showing it but I do. And yes, I need your help with the business. But that is not the only reason I want you back.""What are the other reasons?"Eric sat down heavily in the chair. "Because I cannot sleep without you there. The penthouse feels empty. I miss talking to you. you are the only person who ever really understood me.""Lisa seemed to understand you pretty well," Nyla said coldly."Lisa was a mistake! A stupid, terrible mistake that I regret every single day!" Eric leaned forward. "I will cut her off completely. Block her number. Tell her to never contact me again. Whatever you want.""You should have done that already.""I know. You are ri

Nyla set down her coffee cup slowly. "I live here. What are YOU doing here?"Lisa dropped her shopping bags. "You do not live here anymore. Eric said you two were getting divorced.""Did he?""Yes! He told me you left him. That you were living at your father's mansion." Lisa looked around the penthouse like she was trying to make sense of what she was seeing. "He said I could stay here sometimes. That we were going to be together.""Interesting," Nyla said. "When did he tell you this?""Last week. And the week before. We have been—" Lisa stopped. Realized she was about to admit something."You have been what?" Nyla asked.Lisa lifted her chin. "We have been seeing each other. He has been coming to my apartment. We have been making plans.""Plans.""Yes. For after the divorce. He was going to leave you and we were going to—"The bedroom door opened. Eric came out wearing pajama pants and a t-shirt, hair messy from sleep. He froze when he saw Lisa standing there."What are you doing her

Nyla stared at the photos on her phone. Eric and Lisa together. Multiple times. While he was calling Nyla crying about how much he missed her.She wanted to wake him up right now. Throw the phone in his face. Watch him squirm.But that would ruin everything.Nyla took screenshots of all the photos. Saved them to a secure folder. Then deleted the text thread from the unknown number.Evidence for the divorce. That was all this was. Evidence.The next morning, Eric woke up cheerful. "Good morning. Did you sleep well?""Fine," Nyla said."I have a big meeting today with potential investors. I was wondering if you wanted to come with me. You are so good at reading people.""Okay. I can come.""Really? Thank you. That means so much."The meeting was at two o'clock. Eric presented his pitch. Talked about TechCorp's potential. The investors seemed interested at first.Then they started asking harder questions. About the recent failures. About the stock drop.Eric stumbled over his answers. St

Eric's face went white. "Cameron? You want Cameron to evaluate my company?""He is one of the most successful tech CEOs in the industry," Richard said."He is also my biggest competitor! He hates me!""Does he? Or do you just assume that because you compete in the same space?" Patricia looked at Eric. "Cameron has agreed to be completely professional. He will evaluate TechCorp objectively.""This is insane," Eric said. "You are bringing my enemy into my company to tell you what is wrong with it?""He is not your enemy. He is a consultant we are hiring." Richard's voice was firm. "The decision has been made, Eric. Cameron starts Monday."Eric looked around the table. Eight board members stared back at him with no sympathy. He had lost."Fine," Eric said tightly. "But I want to be present for all his meetings. All his evaluations.""Of course. This is still your company. For now."That last part hung in the air. For now.The meeting ended. Eric stormed out. Nyla followed quietly.In the