Page 78 of Corrupt Game

How did they like their boss? What did they think of the company? What were some good benefits for working for Holdt technologies?

Once I had asked the question, several of the employees began to tell me about the scholarships he provided for their children if they were going into scientific or technology based fields; most of those came through his foundation, which was a nonprofit organization.

All of these little things were adding up.

Either he was only doing good in public, to show others how wonderful he was, or he was doing good to hide all of his nefarious activities.

It didn’t mesh with the idea of a guy who took pleasure in breaking women, but what other answers could there be for this kind of generosity? He might actually be human instead of evil.

***

He hadn’t touched me again. Not by accident or on purpose. I wasn’t sure what was going on.

During the day, he was full of praise and smiles. Then when we got back to the basement, nothing. It was like I was watching Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Holdt.

One minute, I’d feel like I was seeing the real man underneath and then next he would quietly order someone to do something that sounded ominous.

A step forward and then another couple steps backward. It was as if I could see the top of the cliff, but I was afraid to find out what was just over the edge.

He had to be a villain. I’d found some evidence as I was working that seemed to point to the fact there were some extra accounts.Mysterious money that had no designated place or name on the account.

After being given the tablet, I’d tried to trace the money and accounts, but had continued to come up dry.

Rossi was always hanging around, looking over my shoulder. It made things difficult to do any real digging when he was there all the time. Plus, there was the fact that he’d said they would monitor my actions.

I listened to all of the office chatter. Snippets that weren’t meant to be heard by the boss’ assistant of course.

Blending in had never been hard for me, but Rossi hovering around made that really difficult.

When I headed back to my small office off of Ian’s, I confronted him.

“Seriously, buddy. Don’t you have anything else to do but calculate how many times I’ve gone to the restroom?”

Rossi’s mouth lifted in a smirk.

Ha, I’d gotten to him, I thought triumphantly.

“What happened to being Ian’s bodyguard? How are you protecting him if you’re here with me?”

“That is none of your business. I will tell you that he’s safe. I always make sure his safety is assured. Right now, I’m going to make sure that you are in the office and not out snooping around or making contact with people that don’t need to know our intimate details.”

He crossed his arms and the look on his face dared me to try to leave the room.

“All right.” I let out a huge dramatic sigh. “I’ll behave.”

Unable to resist, I stuck my tongue out at him just because I could.

“You continue to taunt me while knowing that I’m unable to respond, I’ll be sure to report your behavior to Mr. Holdt. He can then decide if you need to be punished.” Rossi smiled, knowing which side Ian would agree with.

I couldn’t resist, and had to add a little dramatic flair.

“I’m sorry. Oh protector, for offending you. Please accept my sincerest regrets for having hurt your precious sensitive nature.” This was the most fun I’d had for days, no make that weeks.

Maybe I’d been focused on the wrong person. Rossi could bear some looking into as well.

What if he was the murderer and not Ian?

It was an awkward ride home in the limo because I wasn’t sure if he was going to tattle on me or not.

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