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We all nod silently, acknowledging our roles in this deal. Since most of the negotiation occurred prior to today’s meeting, every step Jeff walks us through is a formality.
“If there are no issues,” Jeff says, his head turning to face Charlie and Curtis. There’s a tense stand-off where everyone in the room seems to hold their breath as they wait for anyone to object to the sale.
I silently dare Curtis to say something, anything, to derail the meeting.
“Isn’t it a conflict of interest for Mr. Franklin to be personally involved with Ms. Gerard.” Charlie brings this up, but I’m not surprised. “She and Mr. Franklin are intimately involved, and I can’t help but wonder if there isn’t some ulterior motive in denying Mr. Gerard the additional compensation he requested.”
“Charlie, you fat fuck,” Albert snarls. “You’re going to sit here and make an issue over something like that when you intentionally hid Mr. Gerard’s true financials from us? We all know why he wanted theadditional compensation. Frankly, I couldn’t care less whether Theo is fucking his client because he’s honest about it. He disclosed his potential conflict of interest, and you know what? I didn’t care! Now sign the goddamn paperwork and then get the hell out of my office.”
Jeff and the other lawyers exchange a look as if they can’t believe Albert’s tirade. And from the uncomfortable way both Curtis and Charlie shift in their seats, it seems they weren’t expecting it, either. As for me, I sit back and keep my mouth shut. I played my part and knew when to let someone else handle the heavy lifting.
When the deal is finally closed, there are no congratulatory handshakes, only formal instructions about when the sale will be finalized, and funds released after all company debt is satisfied. I’ve already set up a plan for Hadley’s share to be invested because she’s expressed she doesn’t really want to spend any of it, and of course, she’s worried about taxes.
“You’ve made my sister a wealthy woman,” Curtis says as he approaches me.
“She was already wealthy thanks to your father,” I tell him. “You should know I have a forensic accountant combing through the trust fund he set up for Hadley.”
He doesn’t seem scared, only smug. “You won’t find anything. The only time it’s been used is to pay for her education, as my father intended.”
“I hope you’re right. Once his audit is finished, Jeff will be in touch about getting Hadley access to the money prior to her birthday.”
“Good luck,” he says with a chuckle.
He starts to walk away but I reach out, grabbing his arm. “You fucked with my family, Curtis. You hurt my children. You hurt the woman I love. If you so much as misspell your name, I will have the Treasury Department and God knows who else breathing down your back. Are we clear?”
He smirks, but the gleam in his eye doesn’t shine so bright. “We’ll be in touch, I’m sure,” he says before walking away.
Once the conference room is cleared, I find an empty chair and collapse into it, exhaling loudly. One problem solved, one more to go.
Albert strolls back into the room, stopping to lean against the conference table. “You know, there’s going to be a position opening soon on the East Coast,” he says. “Could be the perfect spot for you to land.”
“Charlie’s position?” I tap my fingers against my lips. Hadley popping into my life was a sign I need to change. Earlier in the week, I put the condo in Portland on the market knowing it was time to get rid of it. If I stayed, we’d move to Portland permanently. It’s a big enough city where we can start over without the small-town gossips of Seaside watching my every move. “I don’t know if I’m ready for that.”
“You are,” he says with a wink. “Think about it?”
“Absolutely,” I promise.
When he’s gone, I hurry back to my office and pack up, eager to get back to the only place I truly want to be.
