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Grant left the main area to meet privately with a potential new client tonight, Attorney Milton Wilson of Wilson, Dunn, & Miller Law Firm. Mr. Wilson wanted Hollings Holdings’ financial division to manage the law firm’s finances. He took Mr. Wilson to a small room off his office that he used as a cigar lounge. He offered Wilson a cigar of his choice as they discussed business, while Allie handled the donors. As they talked Aubree walked in the room but was hesitant to interrupt the conversation.
“Hey, Mrs. B is ready to serve the after-dinner drinks in the sitting room.”
“Okay, we will be there once we finish our meeting.” Aubree turned around the same time Mr. Wilson turned, and her face went completely pale like she had seen a ghost. She couldn’t cover her response before both men saw her face. Aubree knew in that moment her life was falling apart.
“Aubree, this is Attorney Milton Wilson. Mr. Wilson, this is Aubree Rogers, the woman in my life.” No handshakes took place.
Mr. Wilson stared at Aubree. “I am quite familiar with Ms. Rogers from Memphis. I happen to know she is a wonderful dancer with amazing moves.” Grant looked at Aubree for confirmation which she couldn’t deny in their face.
“Yes, she is an amazing dancer. Aubree, tell Mrs. B we will be there in a few minutes.” He leaned over and kissed her cheek. Aubree nodded and left the room.
“I’m surprised that she is the type of woman you would go for. She doesn’t seem like your type for a man of your statue or one your family would approve.” Milton tried to continue his ranting, but Grant cut him off.
“I don’t need my family’s approval to date a woman who is an amazing, caring person that loves my daughter and wants to serve the community in a very creative way. Anything outside of that I don’t know what you are referring to. Is there something you care to share? Whatever it is you think you want to say about Ms. Rogers, be sure to include how you are included in the equation.” Grant waited for Milton to reply. “We can continue this meeting during office hours,” Grant replied as he escorted Milton out of the cigar room.
As the dinner party wound down, Grant went to his office to put away some donor checks and business papers that a client brought to him. He locked the safe when he heard a knock on the door. Thinking it may be Aubree or Allie, he answered.
“Come in.” When the door swung open it was Celeste entering his office with a look of determination. Grant sighed; he was not in the mood for this conversation.
“Do you really know who you are dealing with, Grant? Have you taken the time beyond fucking her to know why she came back to Dawson Falls?” Celeste thought he would reply, but he didn’t.
“You have this strange woman around your family but have no clue that she was involved with drug trafficking or that she hustles wealthy men out of their money. Did you know?”
Grant was tired at this point. “What I know is you will do anything to destroy someone’s life so you can carry my last name and have access to my money. You stand here talking about Aubree, but you spend the better of your week fucking married men whose wives don’t know. Let’s start with Bill Roberts and the weekly meeting, or Burton Moore. Don’t stand here in my face and act as if you really care about me and my family. You only care that I chose her over you. She took the place you wanted in my life, home, and bed.”
“This could mean life or death for this family. You don’t know the people she was associated with. In here is all you need to know about Aubree and her illegal activities. Fine if you don’t believe me, but you will thank me later. I only want you to know who she is so you can protect your family.”
Celeste handed Grant a large, thick envelop. When he didn’t reach for it, she laid it on his desk and left his office. Grant stared at the envelop that held all that Aubree couldn’t bring herself to tell him. Celeste went through a lot of trouble to “save” Grant from a mistake. Grant looked at the envelop once more before leaving it on his desk to rejoin the party.
Chapter 25
Grant and Allie were in his office going over the New Horizon Grant records. They were finally able to secure the financial records but found out there were two sets of records. Most of the company names that appeared in the first set of records didn’t appear in the second set, and the amounts of money going to the unknown companies held extremely large sums. From their knowledge none of the companies had participated in the arts festivals which was odd. As they read through the reports, Allie observed Grant. He was burning the candle at both ends and she was concerned.
“Hey, how are things going with you and Aubree? Things seemed really tense between you two at the party, so I was just wondering if everything was okay.”
Grant sighed. “Not good. I believe... I know she is keeping something from me that’s major. I have been accosted by people from her past that are very eager to spill whatever secrets they know about her. But Aubree won’t say one word. It’s frustrating!” Grant rubbed a hand down his face. “It’s like being with Mariah all over again; the lies, the men.”
“Talk with Aubree. I believe she loves you and Chanel and wouldn’t do anything to hurt you all. Maybe she was in an abusive relationship and is afraid of what will happen to her. You remember the guy that was with Celeste at the dinner party? Aubree saw him at the coffee shop during our outing. She was so upset. This guy could be an abusive boyfriend from her past,” Allie pleaded.
“I wish it were that simple, but she doesn’t trust me enough to open up to me or trust that I will love her no matter what. Let’s get finished with these reports so I know what we need to do.” Grant wanted to end the conversation about Aubree at the moment. She took his focus away on the business at hand.
A couple hours later after getting nowhere, Grant placed a call to the one person he knew could help them that he trusted. “Roland is coming through to comb through these financial records with his team. There must be something more than unknown companies and large sums of money being paid out.”
Just as they were wrapping up, Lillian came in with a stack of folders. “Hey, I found these financial files in one of the old records rooms, and they are the most current financial records for New Horizon.” Lillian handed the file over to Grant and Allie. Flipping through the files, Grant and Allie realize these were the records they had been searching. With Roland’s help they could find out what was going on with the foundation.
Aubree took the day off from her work duties and dance classes to think about her next move. She spent the morning at Nova Moon helping Nova prepare for her spring collection and provide her thoughts on a new line. There were several fashion shows her new spring line would be featured in, in a few months. As Aubree modeled the clothes Nova and her assistant decided on what alterations needed to be made with each piece. The bell chimed alerting them of a visitor in the boutique.
“My apologies, but we are closed for the day. You will have to come back on Thursday at 11:00 AM.” Nova rose from her spot on the floor to see Celeste walking to the back. “Oh shit, why today?” Aubree saw Celeste and knew she was going to say the things she couldn’t at the dinner party. She wondered if a tracking device had been placed on her car or phone the way people kept finding her.
“Celeste, what can I do for you?” Aubree asked the question of the hour.
“Leave Grant, you simple bitch! You are a low life whore looking for her next victim, and Grant will not be that man. Gerald told me all about the prostitution and preying on rich men for their money. I am meeting with Katherine and Grant Sr., this afternoon for lunch at the country club, and they will know everything about the nasty gutter slut their son is keeping company with and has exposed their granddaughter too. You will not have him!”
Nova laughed. “And neither will you have him. Since you are in the mood for telling, how about I call Georgia Roberts to see how she likes sharing her husband with you? If I’m not mistaken Katherine and Georgia are best friends. How will Katherine feel knowing that you want her son, but you are sleeping with her best friend’s husband?” Nova smiled, and Aubree had a feeling Celeste was going to talk with Grant soon.
“You have been warned.” Celeste stormed out of the boutique. Aubree had a feeling today was not going to end well for her.
“How did you know that Celeste is sleeping with Georgia Roberts’ husband?” Aubree asked. Nova always knew everything that was going on in Dawson Falls; fact and gossip.
