Page 27 of Last Date
“That’s what it says.” Helen shook her head. “That poor boy Elon has already been through so much, and now this?”
“How could Allister do that to his own flesh and blood?” Charlene wailed.
Helen sighed. “I suppose the issue is he doesn’t trust Elon is his actual flesh and blood? There’s a lot of money at stake.”
“But who would be brazen enough to pretend to be someone else?”
“It happens,” Helen said. “Especially when money is involved.”
Gritting my teeth, I tried to block out their voices. I was in my office trying to pay the business license online. Unfortunately, the city’s website was glitching, which had me in a foul mood. Hearing Charlene and Helen gossiping about the Green family again was getting on my last nerve. Struggling to focus, I punched in my payment information for the sixth time, praying this time it took it.
It didn’t.
Cursing under my breath as the website looped me back around to the beginning, I heard them start up again in the other room. “Seriously?” I muttered.
“I can’t imagine why Allister would do this to Elon.” Charlene perched on the edge of Helen’s desk. “What would be his motivation?”
“I told you. Money.” Helen pursed her lips. “It’s always money. Allister is staking his claim on the Green fortune.”
“But Allister is the oldest son. Wouldn’t he already inherit everything?”
Helen shook her head. “From what I’ve heard, when their father dies, the money is to be split evenly between both sons and their mother.”
“Really?”
“Yep.” Helen shrugged. “It’s more fair than the other way. I mean, just because you’re born first, why should you inherit everything, right?”
“But the Greens are already so rich. Why does Allister need even more of the pie?” Charlene sounded disgusted. “A third of that money would still be a literal fortune.”
“When money is your life, it’s never enough.” Helen sniffed. “I find Allister’s behavior despicable.”
With a scowl, I stood and went out into the other room. Using my most patient voice, I said, “Hey, guys. I thought we’d agreed to only discuss this stuff on our breaks?”
Guilt washed over both of their faces.
“Oh, sorry.” Charlene grimaced. “I brought in the newspaper, and the headline caught our eye.”
I sighed. “That stuff has nothing to do with us.”
Helen smiled sheepishly. “Sorry. We got carried away.”
Charlene folded the newspaper and set it on Helen’s desk, and then she met my gaze, looking curious. “Aren’t you even the least bit interested in this stuff? You’re going out with Allister tonight, right?”
I frowned. “One date with the man doesn’t mean I should poke my nose into his personal business.”
“I guess.” Charlene looked dubious.
Shrugging, I said, “For all I know, Allister will cancel because of all the family drama.” The thought of that was disappointing, but it seemed plausible. I hadn’t heard from him since the night he’d asked me out. Maybe he’d forgotten he even had asked me out for Valentine’s Day?
“You really think he’d cancel this late in the day?” Helen frowned. “That would be rude. It would give you no time to scrounge up another date.”
I laughed dryly. “I don’t exactly have a list of guys waiting to take me out. If Allister cancels, I’ll just go home and spend the evening with Spot.”
“This is getting worse by the minute.” Charlene sighed. “If Allister bails, you should come out with me and my friends.”
I winced. “Yeah, I’m sure your pals would love your almost thirty-year-old employer hanging out with them.”
“Don’t be silly,” Charlene said. “You’re cool, boss.”
