Page 88 of Mad Rivals
I guess I could just ask my father about it, but I don’t even know what I’d say.The girl I’m supposed to be getting info from for you but instead fell for is questioning how much we’re worth.
Yeah, probably not the best plan.
The next day after workouts, I spend a little time doing some more research. I have projects to attend to, but now that I’ve started, I can’t let this go.
When I look at what I consider some of our top clients, there simply isn’t enough cash flow to call this a billion-dollar company. And yet when I look at the bank statements…we are.
I decide to skirt around it with John just to see if he knows anything. I pop into his office a little before the end of the day.
“You ready for the bid on Newman?” he asks before I get the chance to move in with my question.
I nod. “Two more weeks. From what I’ve heard, they’re keeping it very quiet, and they’re only accepting three bids. I haven’t heard who the other companies are just yet. Have you?”
He shakes his head. “No, not a word. They’re keeping it all very hush-hush, which is probably to their advantage since if other developers knew about it, they’d have a million and one bids to sort through. They want to get moving quickly, and I hope that’s reflected in your plan.”
“I can send it to you if you’d like to look it over,” I say since he’s clearly indicating that he doesn’t think I have my shit together.
“I trust you.”
Yeah, right. On that note, I ask, “Who would you consider to be Bradley Group’s biggest clients?”
His brows dip. “In California?”
I shrug. “Sure. Or overall.”
He names off a few that I already checked, and I nod.
“Why do you ask?”
“Just thinking out loud. If we snag Newman, maybe they’ll be our biggest.”
His brows dip. “Maybe, but I’d think the project out in Oak Park is bigger.”
“Yeah, you’re probably right,” I say. I glance at my watch. “I’m going to call it a day, but I’ll see you tomorrow.”
I head home and find that Kennedy isn’t here quite yet, so I pull open the files and continue my search.
I keep hitting dead ends.
And that’s why, when Kennedy does get home and she walks into my office, I don’t immediately close down the file I’m looking at.
In fact, maybe she can even help me.
“Tell me I can trust you,” I demand without so much as ahow was your day, dear?
Her brows dip. “Of course. Always. With anything.”
I narrow my eyes at her. “With Bradley Group’s books?”
Her eyes widen a little, but she nods. “Yes, Madden. I swear, if there’s something you need me to look at, it’s between us. Always.”
I have never put my trust into someone else like this, but even though it’s only been twenty-four hours, I’m frustrated as fuck. I’m on a tight timeline to figure out what the hell my father is hiding, and I need help.
Preferably from someone who’s familiar with this business the way Kennedy is.
I draw in a breath and plow forward before I lose my nerve. “I’ve been searching for two days now to try to figure out where the money is coming from, and you’re right. Our top clientsaren’t generating billions for us. But our bottom line shows billions.” I shrug. “I’m at a loss, and I don’t know where else to look.”
“Do you have access to the ledgers?” she asks.
