Page 111 of Billion Dollar Dispute

I watch him leave, and the sight of his swagger in a suit makes me feel like I’m floating on a cloud of lust.

I’m about to leave the office and lock up because Chad has basketball practice tonight. I can finish the paperwork from today's meetings later. Molly has agreed to be my point of contact so I can fly over and meet Mr. Baird. I’ll book the flights tonight… just a day trip, maybe an overnight stay, which makes me a bit nervous. But I have to remember I’m the CEO, and I’ve already changed Chad’s life for the better. Once I’ve chosen my trainees and they’ve settled in and proven themselves, they’ll take on tasks like this for me.

Harvey has left to meet his dad, and Molly has finished for the day. I’m about to pass Molly’s desk when Danny walks in. I blink, wondering if this is real. I’ve been calling and texting on and off, but he never answers.

“Hey,” he says, scratching his forearm.

“Where have you been? I've been trying to call you.” I hug him, and he hugs me back, a little too roughly.

His eyes have a blueish tint to them, and he rubs at his mouth.

“Yeah, I wasn’t allowed to contact you.”

The hairs on the back of my neck rise. “You weren’t allowed to?” I ask, wondering who would do such a thing and why?

“No. Your boyfriend,” he says with a curl to his lip, “told me to leave and never contact you.”

I stare at him, dumbfounded. Something feels off, and I can’t shake the feeling that there’s more to this than he’s letting on.With so many questions racing through my mind, I start with the most pressing one.

“Who?”

“Harvey Lincoln. He paid me ten thousand dollars to stay away from you.” His jaw tightens, and his shoulders are rigid, like he’s bracing himself. He glances at me, then quickly looks away, his fingers tapping nervously on his leg.

Harvey paid him behind my back? I rub my forehead, trying to piece things together, but nothing makes sense.

“He bribed me to leave so he could take over your company.”

My eyes sting and my throat aches. So he wasn’t interested?Have I been played all along?

I blink furiously as I turn my head away, needing a second to breathe before turning back to him. “What made you change your mind?”

“I didn't want him to hurt you. I like you.”

That doesn’t sit right. There’s something he’s not telling me.

“I see you’ve had a makeover. Was that his idea?” His eyes move past me.

“Yeah,” I say, my voice flat. I clutch the paperwork tighter, my fingers digging into the edges. My shoulders stiffen, and I uncross my arms over my chest, a shield between us. The familiar walls start to rebuild, brick by brick, shutting him out.

“Must be nice to have money and take over someone's business,” he mutters under his breath.

I can’t respond yet. I’m too busy trying to process everything he’s said. It’s not adding up.

“I need my job back,” he asks, eyes fixed on me.“I’ve been interviewing new employees,” I reply, my tone sharp. He can’t just come back in here after leaving without a word and expect his job back.

He lets out a laugh, shaking his head. “Your dad would’ve never treated me like this. I was practically family to him.He trusted me. If he could see how you’re handling this after everything I did for him, he’d be ashamed. And honestly, I think he’d be worried about you too.”

I tense, but he doesn’t stop, stepping closer. “You’re letting people take advantage of you, and now you’re letting go of the ones who actually care. Is that what you think he’d want?”

My jaw tightens as his words sink in. “Don’t you dare bring my dad into this,” I say. “He’s not here to speak for himself, and you don’t get to guilt me into anything by throwing his name around.” I swallow hard and force myself to stay steady. “I’m doing the best I can, and if that means making hard choices, so be it. This isn’t about taking advantage or letting go, it’s about moving forward.”

My gut is telling me something about all this doesn’t feel right. So I’ll be keeping my guard up. I don’t want anyone I can’t trust working here.

Chapter 32

Jemima

“I think you shouldgo,” I say, pointing to the door. Luckily, he moves toward the exit.

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