Page 11 of Mr. Billionaire's Second Chance

She sounded absolutely flustered and I could imagine it had something to do with all the talk that was moving around the office, the rumors that were flying, and the reporters who were practically putting up tents in the parking lot.

“Claire, are you okay?”

She nodded reluctantly, gulping, and it seemed to me like she was about to pass out. I got up out of my chair and led her right out my office door.

“How about we both get something to drink? I think we can both use it,” I said.

“T-that would be great.”

She led me down to the intimate kitchenette space which seemed to be one of many, all with the same snacks, drinks, and a few seats, but this one was empty. It was the time of the day where everyone had their morning coffee but it wasn’t quite time for lunch, but I saw it as an opportunity to do a little digging. After what Mr. Wolfe had said, I needed to know what I could be in for here. I wasn’t just told to look for padded financial reports. I’m supposed to be reporting any suspicious behavior I find. William, Jamie, they’re all going to be expecting something. Who better to ask than the woman who spends the most time with Preston.

“What would you like?” I asked, scanning the cupboards for two mugs.

“I should be the one asking you that,” said Claire.

“It looks like you already have your hands full. I know things haven’t exactly been easy around here lately.”

“Tell me about it. Mr. Clarke has been working overtime to minimize the damage that’s been done ever since that story broke. I’m just trying to keep everything as normal as possible.”

“You’re doing a great job, Claire. Something tells me that this place wouldn’t function without you,” I said.

She smiled warmly at me, and we both drank our tea while I mustered up the courage to ask her about Preston. I wanted to know what kind of person he was when no one was watching, when the world loved him, and didn’t question his actions. I wanted to know if the man I was starting to fall for is really in there or if it was all just an act to get me to sleep with him. I wouldn’t be surprised. I’ve steered clear of men like him ever since, but something about how he’s been handling himself tells me that there may be something there after all.

“So, Claire. I have to ask, is Mr. Clarke really the asshole everyone makes him out to be?”

Her eyes widened like I’d just asked her a forbidden question and I smiled.

“I won’t tell him, I promise,” I reassured her.

“Everyone sees him as the typical womanizing New York bachelor, but he’s a hard worker, he’s dedicated his life to his business, and he’s had a really difficult time dealing with his father before he passed. If you knew his father, you’d understand why he’s so shut away from the world. And why this company is more important to him than any other from his portfolio.”

Claire reached into her pocket to pull out her cell phone, frantically rushing out as I imagined she had far too many things to do than sit with me and chat about her boss. She said a quick goodbye, leaving me alone in that little kitchenette to gather my thoughts.

William made it clear that I have to dig a little deeper. I have to find evidence linking Preston to all of this, and that may mean I’ll have to set aside my differences so I can actually talk to him again. That’s one door I’d really like to leave closed, but I’m not sure I’m going to have much of a choice soon.

I finished up for the day just as one of the interns came in with an obscenely large stack of files. It was at that moment that I wished I had at least one other person from the firm helping me sort through them all. I pulled out my cell phone, dialing Jamie’s number waiting as it rang.

“Kat, how are you doing? Have you found anything yet?”

“Not that great considering I have about hundreds of files to get through. I was assuming that by the time I’ve been here you would’ve sent a few other people from the firm to help. Am I really expected to go at this alone?” I asked, trying to hide the frustration in my voice.

“I did tell you these were special circumstances, Kat. I know this isn’t the kind of thing we usually do, but I can’t think of a better way to genuinely figure out if Mr. Clarke is involved in any fraudulent activity. Considering what his father had been rumored to get away with, we have to keep pushing until we find something that sticks,” said Jamie.

“So far, everything checks out. There isn’t a problem with any of the reports nor is there any indication that he’s actually involved in any fraud or embezzlement here. Are you sure Mr. Wolfe didn’t just make a mistake?”

“I trust him on this. How about you step outside the office for a little while, get closer to Mr. Clarke and see if you can pick up on anything strange that way?”

“That’s not -”

“We need to find something, Kat. End of discussion. Get it done or I’ll have to find someone else who will,” he said, through his teeth.

“You got it.”

I sighed, hanging up the phone. I placed my head in my hands, just about ready to pull my hair out. What the hell am I going to do? I finished up that evening, gathering my things and heading straight for the elevator. All I could think about was the tall glass of wine I would pour myself the minute I got home, but in my moment of distraction I saw a hand catch the door before it closed.

In came Preston, with a waft of that perfect cologne filling my senses, and that smirk that made my cheeks go hot. I gulped as he got close to me and the tension settled right between us. I glanced over at him, taking in his perfectly trimmed beard and fresh suit. I tried my best to ignore him, telling myself that if I could just get down to the lobby, all would be okay again. I felt his hand lightly brush against mine as we descended, and I bit my lip trying to hold it together.

“Find anything interesting today?” he asked, raising his eyebrow at me.

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