Page 39 of Mr. Billionaire's Second Chance

She knows now that whatever she has is false because I told her the truth. That has to mean that this investigation is coming to an end and we can finally go out without the worry that we’ll just become another front-page news story. That’s all I want.

I took a hot shower, made myself a cup of coffee, and when I finally grabbed my cell phone it was ringing off the hook. I didn’t even think to check who was calling and I answered expecting some urgent business update.

“Good morning sunshine.”

I rolled my eyes, reminding myself that I need to start checking caller I.D. before I pick up so I can avoid calls like this one.

“Leighton. What do you want?”

“Oh no. Did someone wake up on the wrong side of the bed this morning?” she asked, with a giggle.

“Is there anything you need because I need to get to work. I have lots to do and I don’t know if you’re aware, but my company could go to shit at any minute.”

“Yes, we’re all aware, darling. I’m going to need you to clear your calendar for this evening. I need a date to this charity gala I’m attending.”

“I’m sorry, Leighton, I can’t make it this evening. I have far too much work to do,” I muttered, hoping she’d just drop it.

“You’re going to have to just do that work another time, Preston. If I recall correctly, you owe me. Now that the word is out that your girlfriend is the one investigating you for fraud, it’s in both of our best interest to change that narrative. Don’t you agree?”

“What’s in it for you?”

“To have you on my arm again. Believe it or not, it’s hard to get anyone to listen to me without a man on my arm. As ridiculous as it is, I need to impress some people tonight, so you’re just going to have to come. You wouldn’t want me blabbing my big mouth, would you?”

“No, Leighton. I wouldn’t.”

“Good, then you’ll swing by to pick me up at eight sharp. Oh, and no town car. This is an occasion that requires a limo.”

“Mhm.” I hung up the phone, nearly throwing it across the room. Leighton knows too much for her own good. I can’t help but hope one day that comes back to bite her in the ass.

I checked through the rest of my messages, seeing one from Katherine that came in an hour ago. I texted her back, catching myself smiling, but I shook it off, getting ready for the day.

The office was quiet today, and it was much easier moving around knowing that Katherine wasn’t in her temporary office, combing through company documents anymore. I was glad that she had what she needed to put this thing to bed once and for all, but there was still the thought settling to the back of my mind that I wasn’t out of the woods just yet. The Newmont. I need to find out what the hell happened with that building because if there’s one thing I know for sure, it’s not up and running. If it’s somehow in my name after all, I’m fucked.

I tried to pull the thought from my mind because I was sure I’d remember signing such a big deal. The thought of that much money being in the wind made my stomach turn, but I took a deep breath, picking up the phone to call William’s office.

“Preston. What do you need?”

“Can you come down to my office? There’s something we need to discuss.”

“I have a meeting in fifteen minutes, Preston,” he said, dismissively.

“Fifteen minutes will be enough. I am waiting.”

“I’ll be right there.”

William sauntered into my office in his tailored suit and cream pocket square. His dark brunette hair was freshly trimmed as was his beard, and I wondered what the occasion was because that was the only time he ever looked that dapper.

“Preston, I’m here, but please make this quick.”

“I need to ask you about The Newmont.”

“The Newmont?”

“Apparently, someone’s been feeding Katherine information about a hotel that was supposedly purchased by my father and then transferred into my name almost immediately. You wouldn’t happen to know anything about that, would you?”

I studied his expression closely, waiting to see whether his eyes would shift around the room or if a bead of sweat would trickle down his forehead, but there was none. He was calm, just as he always was, and that didn’t surprise me. My own uncle was on the bottom of my suspect list.

“No, Preston. I don’t know anything about that. When your father passed I had a lot on my plate. I cleaned up a lot of his messes, but The Newmont wasn’t one of them. Why, what exactly does Katherine think she knows?”

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