Page 20 of Forbidden Professor

I side eyed him and then we took a couple steps away from everyone. “What is it?”

“Lauren did some digging. Apparently Paul didn’t get permission to cancel a project. In fact, the end of the year wrap up showed that the funding was still going to it.”

“Wait, what? So…”

“Apparently, the Board of Directors had an emergency meeting this morning and found out that he had been canceling projects for the last couple of years, but in the paperwork they still showed as funded.”

“Wait, are you saying…”

“You were right. But it’s much bigger than just the one project. He had been doing this for the last five years. The money is just gone.”

Easton was right to follow his gut and if he hadn’t confided in me, none of this would have been discovered.

“So, what’s going to happen?” I looked over at Paul and he looked so carefree. He had been getting away with this for years, and probably thought he would never get caught.

“You’ll see.” She nodded for me to go back to my date. “I’d stick around for another half an hour or so.”

After going back to Easton, I couldn’t help but watch Paul interact with everyone. Most thought he was a good boss, but they didn’t know half of it. What else was he stealing? Company bonuses? Raises? Normally when embezzling from a company, they took everything.

Lauren walked up to the podium. “Can I have your attention please?” Everyone in the room fell silent. “The Board of Directors wants to thank all of you for your level of commitment to Largen Co. We have some major changes coming next year. First of all, we will be continuing the Parkinson’s project and the new President and CEO would like to say a few words.

Paul looked around the room. He had no idea what was going on.

No freaking way.

“Hello, everyone. My name is Scarlett Jeurgens. I am very happy to be your new CEO and look forward to working with all of you in the coming new year.”

Easton’s eyes were stuck on me. “Did you know about this?”

I shook my head. “I didn’t know she was going to be your new boss if that’s what you mean.”

As soon as she stepped down from the podium, six police officers walked in the entrance and swarmed around Paul. He didn’t even try to fight to get out of it. Hell, he knew he was guilty.

“I didn’t let it go and Scarlett found out he had been embezzling from Largen Co. for years. If you hadn't said anything, they would have never found out. Or at least for a while.”

Now that Paul was out and Scarlett was in, he would have a much better experience. She was very experienced and would make a wonderful addition to the company. Her knowledge of financials would help Largen Co. figure out how to replenish the money that was taken.

“Well, since that’s over, what do you say we go home and enjoy our last night before we leave for Vermont?”

I leaned in and kissed him. “Sounds perfect.”

18

Easton

My nerves were rattled. The cab was taking us to her parents house. What if they didn’t like me? Every dad wanted their little girl to marry the perfect guy, and what if I wasn’t what her dad expected? Sure, we might not be engaged yet, but her dad’s opinion mattered to her regardless. There was no way she would ever continue a relationship with me if her parents didn’t approve. So, I had to be on my best behavior ever while in Vermont.

Snow was coming down in heaps, covering the road, but snow plows were out in full force. They must get a lot of snow here. It was a great set up for a perfect Christmas. My grandma always dreamed for a White Christmas.

“We’re almost there.” She said, squeezing my hand. “They are going to love you. I already do.”

What had she told her parents about me? They knew we were dating back in college. How did she explain the breakup to them? Ugh. I had no idea what I was walking into here.

Why was I so worried? Isla loved me and our relationship was strong. A week away in Vermont couldn’t demolish that. It could only cement it further, right?

The cab pulled up in front of a house decked out with decorations and lights. The Madden’s must be obsessed with Christmas. There were more than twenty blow up decorations in their yard.

The front door opened and an older woman with gray hair yelled something back into the house. When her father came to the door and started waving, my stomach eased up a bit. They were excited. Maybe this would be a walk in the park. It was the Christmas season for gosh sakes.

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