Page 86 of Endgame

‘We went to her wedding because she was our chairwoman and steered us up to the point DMVI took over. I haven’t seen her since.’

‘Are you aware of her past relationship with Caleb?’

‘Samir, any questions about the nature of Caleb’s relationship with Melissa should be posed to him, not me. I’m an inaccurate source.’

‘I’d like to hear your opinion.’

‘I refuse to engage in hearsay. Can I help you with anything else?’

‘Is there anything I should know that I don’t already, Ariella?’

‘Yes. Everyone here loves this company and wants it to succeed. What you have the privilege of shaping today was created by everyone out there. It’d be nice if you could show them some respect. If you also can find it in you to extend some thanks, it would mean the world to them.’

‘That’s it?’

‘That’s it.’

Samir studies me for a few seconds before he lets me go.

Surprisingly, he does exactly as I suggested and calls us all into our meeting room, plays the video and explains our position. In a shocking plot twist, he actually thanks the team before he dismisses us to go back to our desks. All everyone can seem to talk about for the rest of the day is the video. With that and somuch work to get through, the day speeds past. I’m unaware of the time until I get Dominic’s text at four on the dot.

Ready?

Ready.

We whiz through the streets of Singapore and I realise how much I miss being on the back of Dominic’s bike. I tune out everything in my head and just watch the city whiz by until we stop in front of a tiny nondescript restaurant sandwiched between some Peranakan houses. As soon as we sit down in the empty restaurant, the server produces two menus.

‘Just water please,’ I request.

‘Are you sure? It could be an adventure.’

‘I’m not in the mood to eat. Today’s news has made me a little queasy.’

Dominic orders a coffee and waits until the server leaves us.

‘Aside, obviously, from the agreement that will pretty much destroy us all if she spills, do we have anything else to worry about?’ I ask.

‘Nope. Since her departure, which can be explained away, Ivory Bow is good.’

‘I’m not sure, Dominic.’

‘I am. Kevin and I have been talking to Devin since you fired him.’

‘Devin?’

He nods.

‘What does Devin know?’

‘Everything, but I promise you Ivory Bow is fine. Bryce caught it before it was something. Devin is also prepared to sing like a canary if need be.’

‘Can Ivory Bow in the UK be affected?’

‘No, Harrison’s departure with those accounts helps a bit and Preston, your old CFO, is pretty much in the same position as Devin.’

‘When did all this happen?’ I ask, astounded.

‘It’s kind of still happening – I like to keep my investments clean.’

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