Page 108 of Deadly Secrets

“You wouldn’t understand.”

My father closed the distance between them and responded, “Try me.”

William dropped his head and rubbed his eyes.

“I lost a poker game a few months ago, and let’s just say that the individuals to whom I owed the money were far from understanding. They’ve been threatening my family, and I didn’t know what to do. These individuals are dangerous. I didn’t want this situation to impact you or your family by association.”

“How much money?” my dad asked.

William sat on the corner sofa, his forearms resting on his knees. He looked up and said, “One point three million.”

“And you didn’t have enough money saved to pay this debt?” my dad questioned.

“I haven’t been very lucky lately,” William retorted.

“Fucking hell, William. Are you telling me you’ve blown all your savings? Your kid’s trust fund?”

William nodded.

“Does your wife know?”

“No. I would like to keep it that way.”

“You’re in no position to make any demands, William.” My father sat behind his desk once again. “Why didn’t you come to me first? I would have helped you.”

“It was a lot of money, and I thought I could solve the issue before anyone noticed. I just needed one lucky game, and everything would be fixed.”

“You sound like an addict, William. Just one more game, one more hit. And I doubt one is ever going to be enough. Am I wrong? I’ve checked the amounts you’ve been transferring to your account, and based on what you owed, you should have been able to pay that debt months ago. What happened, William? Because from where I stand, I bet you kept gambling the funds away.” My father turned his face and directed his next words to Bob. “Why did you play into all of this? I’ve known you for years. This isn’t you. What did William have on you?”

William immediately replied, “I didn’t…”

“Shut your mouth, William. I’m not talking to you,” my dad yelled with a finger pointing at him.

Bob was visibly shaken, and his face drained of all color.

“Medical bills. You know my wife was sick for two years before she passed away, but some of the treatments she received weren’t covered under my employment insurance. We’re drowning in debt, and William promised me a percentage in exchange for falsifying some documents,” Bob explained.

“This is a fucking mess.” My dad leaned back in his seat and pulled his hair with both hands. “I can’t trust you anymore, Bob. You may go to your office and take all your things. You’re fired, effect immediately.”

“I understand.” Bob appeared defeated, his shoulders sagging under the burden of the repercussions of his actions.

“I don’t want to draw attention to the situation, so please don’t make a scene on your way out, or I’ll be forced to call security. I believe that after so many years working at Cos Pharma, you’d like to leave with an ounce of dignity.”

“I know it doesn’t change anything, but I’m really sorry, Edward,” Bob expressed.

“You’re right. It doesn’t.” My dad’s words cut through the air with a sharp and icy edge, leaving no doubt about the lack of compassion in his tone. It brought back memories of those countless times when he would engage in heated arguments with me, critiquing my life choices and behavior. The familiarity of the situation hit me like a painful déjà vu, only this time, it wasn’t me who was on the receiving end of his unrelenting disapproval.

Bob turned around and left the office without muttering another word.

Maggie and I kept our eyes glued to the screen the entire time, but my attention shifted toward her when I listened to her sigh. Her lips were tightly pressed together, and her eyes appeared misty.

My father spoke once more, and my attention quickly returned to the screen.

“I can’t fire you, William, but I have enough proof to drown you and your family with charges of embezzlement, fraud, and forgery. It won’t look pretty, and I’d rather leave Nora and Alexander out of this. They shouldn’t be paying for your sins.”

“What are you suggesting? You want me to resign?” He scoffed.

“This is my only offer, so think carefully before you speak. You will sell your shares to me and make it look like a mutual decision—tell the world you want to pursue a new solo venture or that we had irreconcilable differences when it came to Cos Pharma’s future. My offer will be fair and give you enough money to cover your debt and build something independently. If you want to blow all the money in underground poker games, be my guest, but the moment you’re out, I don’t fucking care. In exchange, I’ll make sure this event gets buried and never comes to light, but you and I are over. We’ll not be partners, and we’ll not be friends. I want your family to stay away from mine. Is that clear?”

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