Page 114 of Billion Dollar Dispute

“Tell me,” she prompts softly, leaning in just enough to show she’s ready to listen.

“I can’t go over all the details because I don’t want to relive it. But in short, Danny was stealing money from the company and using it for drugs.”

Her eyes widen as she audibly gasps and covers her mouth with her hand. “How did you find out?”

“He showed up and told me Harvey paid him ten thousand dollars to stay away from me.”

She winced. “Harvey found out and didn’t say anything?”

“Bingo.” I nod, making myself a cup of coffee. Even looking at the stupid machine irritates me because he bought it for the office. I’m not childish enough to send it back.

“So, what happens now?”

I hand her one of the coffees and set it in front of her. “Neither Danny nor Harvey will be coming back.”

“Thanks,” she whispers to me for the coffee. “How do you want to handle this week's schedule?”

“I’ll still go to D.C., if you can take care of Chad?”

“Of course. Stay the night, you need some time to think, and a good night's sleep would do you a world of good.”

I manage a small smile as I reach out and squeeze her hand. “How did I get so lucky with you?”

“You’d do the same for me. I scratch your back, you scratch mine.”

“Always.”

“Come here,” she says, standing and waiting for me to follow. We wrap our arms around each other, and the comfort of someone I can trust feels so good. I just wish I had more people in my corner. Just when I thought my lonely life was lifting, I’m knocked back down to reality.

“I need to call the new hires for second round interviews and see when they can start. In the meantime, I’ll use my temps to help out.”

“What can I do to help?”

“If you call the hires, I’ll get started on the temps.”

If I can just immerse myself in work and focus on Chad, maybe Harvey will become old news. But as soon as I think that, my heart twinges, betraying my lie. It won’t be easy to forget him. He became an important person in my life, and my son’s.

How do I tell Chad?

Chapter 33

Jemima

As I’m about toboard the plane, a text from Harvey pops up.

Harvey:I’m sorry.

I don’t answer, just like all the other ones he’s sent me. My head and heart aren't ready to talk to him. I’m gutted beyond words. As much as the anger simmers in my blood, if he were close, I’m not sure I’d be strong enough to resist. He’s gotten under my skin and into my heart and I just need time to process Danny and his betrayal.

This overnight stay is exactly what I need; it’s a chance to get some much-needed space.

When I arrive at the Baird hotel, I check in and am informed the room’s ready. The client I’m meeting owns this hotel, but I was upgraded to the penthouse, which we hadn’t discussed. I enter the room, and my jaw drops. It’s as beautiful as Harvey'splace. Why does everything remind me of him? He’s haunting me, even from afar.

Walking through the suite, I spot the bathtub in the middle of the bathroom. I know exactly where I’ll be spending my evening. There’s even a box of chocolates and a bottle of champagne waiting for me.

I worked on the plane, so I have an hour to kill before I need to meet Mr. Baird. Once I’ve ordered some room service, I curl up on the obnoxiously large cream sofa, and find a show I haven’t watched in forever. My food arrives, and I relax for a bit before heading down to the meeting rooms.

When I arrive, the conference room is empty. I wonder if I misread the email. He was adamant about me being here in person, insisting that the scale and importance of this high-profile gala demanded precision and a level of detail he felt couldn’t be addressed over Zoom.

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