Page 72 of Deadly Secrets

“Yes. It’s best if we never talk about that kiss. As a matter of fact, it didn’t happen.” Saying those words felt like swallowing a bitter pill, but they had to be said. That kiss was everything I would have hoped for a long time ago, but now things were too complicated between us.

His expression turned cold.

“Got it,” he responded and turned away without saying another word.

Once I was alone in my room, I lay on my bed and cried myself to sleep.

Chapter 29. THE POSITION IS YOURS

(Sienna)

One week before Christmas Day, Maggie and I flew to New York. She buzzed with excitement during the whole trip, acting like a kid in a candy store. I’d splurged on first-class tickets, and she made the most of it, constantly asking for champagne and munching on all the fancy food from the in-flight menu. Meanwhile, I couldn’t manage to eat a thing. I was anxious about meeting William and confronting him about the circumstances surrounding his exit from Cos Pharmaceuticals.

We hopped in an Uber straight from JFK airport to Cos Pharma offices. Maggie wasted no time and checked in our luggage at the reception before embarking on a shopping spree that would keep her occupied until my meeting with William concluded.

New York City was in full-on Christmas mode. The streets bustled with tourists and last-minute shoppers. I’d already sorted out gifts for Maggie, Zayn, Noah, and Ander, so at least that was already covered. As we were saying our goodbyes last night, I extended my Christmas wishes to the guys and assured them I’d find some time in the new year to get together and swap presents before our classes resumed. For the past few days, I had kept my interactions with Ander to a minimum, keeping my distance as much as possible. I wouldn’t be able to stop myself if he were to kiss me again, and that wasn’t an option.

Just a couple of steps past the threshold of our office building, beads of sweat formed on my forehead. I had crafted my speech to the tiniest detail and practiced it a hundred times over, yet as I approached the main reception area, every carefully memorized word suddenly vanished from my mind like smoke in the wind.

“Good morning, Miss Moore. Mr. Scott is waiting for you. Would you like me to bring you some coffee? Maybe some pastries?” Just what my racing heart needed: caffeine.

“No, thank you.”

Handing over my coat and purse, I squared my shoulders and straightened my posture, trying to present myself as a poised and confident businesswoman. With a newfound—but completely fake—determination, I strode toward the glass room where William awaited me.

“Good morning, Sienna. You look lovely.”

I narrowed my eyes. William had never given me a compliment about my looks, so I assumed he was attempting to butter me up or perhaps testing the waters in some way.

“Thank you,” I politely responded. “Not only for the compliment but for coming to our offices on such short notice. I know the week before Christmas is busy in this line of business.”

He smiled and waved his hand, inviting me to take a seat in front of him.

“So to what do I owe this pleasure? I doubt it’s just to wish me a Merry Christmas. A card would have sufficed for that.”

I don’t know what it was about him that always made me feel small when I was around him, but I tried not to show the effect his words had on me.

“As you well know, I’m already aware of your sudden interest in rejoining our wonderful team, so I just wanted to have the opportunity to discuss the position with you and ask you why you think you’re the best candidate.”

He shifted in his chair and ran his right hand through his ash-blond hair, releasing a chuckle.

“Sienna. Cut the bullshit. I know why you called me in, so get to the point. No need to beat around the bush.”

I released a long breath before I spoke. “I know why you left the company.”

“Do you now?” he said, lifting both eyebrows.

“Yes, I know. But I want to hear it directly from you. And I want the whole truth. I’ll know if you’re lying to me.”

“I doubt it. I’m a great poker player, but if you want the truth, the truth you shall have.” He reached for the carafe of water resting on the table, handling it with deliberate care. He poured a glass of water for both of us, taking his time in the process. His sipping was so unhurried that it almost felt like he was competing for a Guinness World Record in the category of the slowest water drinker. My left eye began to twitch.

“Six years ago, Michael approached both your father and me regarding some financial irregularities he’d uncovered. Your father appeared to have forged documents and redirected funds allocated for certain projects into an offshore account in Panama. As you may already be aware, these projects turned out to be nonexistent.”

William’s gaze shifted nervously from side to side, and he couldn’t resist fidgeting with his watch every few seconds. I thought to myself that it was the first time I’d seen William anxious, but with everything at stake for him, I could imagine keeping his composure must have been difficult.

“When I confronted your father, he explained that your family faced severe financial difficulties. He claimed to have made some successful investments and intended to return the money before anyone noticed. In short, he swore that he would return the money, but our trust was irrevocably shattered, so I presented your father with my resignation a couple of weeks later. Because of our years of friendship, he implored me to keep the matter confidential. Apparently, Michael and Peter had already agreed to sweep it under the rug as long as the money was returned. That marked the end of our friendship.”

His version mirrored the narrative that Michael and Peter had previously shared with me, and once again, I found myself profoundly disturbed by my father’s actions.

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