Page 72 of Beautiful Desire

Letting out a huff of annoyance, he starts again. “He told Elle he was working late one night, and she decided to bring him some dinner so they could eat at the office together. And, well, she ended up walking in on him while he was fucking the receptionist.”

My eyes bulge as my jaw pops and I clench my fists, rage flowing through me at the thought of someone hurting Elle like that.

“I don’t know how the guy still works here, if I’m honest.” His words grab my attention and pull me out of my own thoughts.

“What do you mean?”

“Well, the next morning, when word spread around the office, Mr. Lewis was furious. He fired the receptionist as soon as he heard. I just don’t understand how Paul wasn’t fired too. Mr. Lewis treated Elle like a daughter.”

The more I think about it, the more I’m intrigued to figure out why this Paul guy wasn’t fired and why the hell Elle is still working for the same company as this jackass.

“How many years ago did you say it was they dated?” I ask, trying to sound nonchalant.

“Four, maybe five. It’s no secret Elle is a beautiful woman, but she’s made it crystal clear to everyone here she’ll never date anyone who works in this building, never mind anyone who works for LM Investments.” Standing from his chair, Sean thumbs toward the empty office. “I’d better go. Still a few more floors I need to check.”

I stand from my chair and follow as he exits. “Thanks for checking in, Sean. You’ve been a great help.”

I watch as a small smile crosses his face. Turning, he starts to walk back down the corridor he came from.

“Oh, and Sean?” I wait until he turns around to face me and lifts his head to nod in response before I finish talking. “Eyes off Miss Parker from now on.”

Noting the shock on his face, I turn away with a satisfied grin on my face, getting back to my desk so I can quickly finish this paperwork and begin my new task.

An hour later I’ve finished the paperwork and my eyes roam back and forth across the computer screen waiting for the employee profile of onePaul Howardto load. His employee picture appears on the screen; my nostrils flare with fury and my angry gaze takes in the image in front of me.

Gripping on to my desk, trying to control my temper, I take deep breaths. He’s that asshole from the club on that night I met Fabi in Diavolo. I couldn’t forget his face if I tried. He’s thirty-two, born in Boston, and comes from money.

Of course. Typical spoiled little rich kid.

From what I see of his qualifications and his work ethic, there’s nothing outstanding that would put him as the head of accounting.

So why is he still employed here?

The question has been going around and around in my head ever since my conversation with Sean. I can’t help but think of how Elle must have felt walking in to see that, and then finding out everyone knew, yet said nothing, makes me even angrier.

I’m scrolling through his file, absorbing all this information when something grabs my attention. When I click on it, my jaw almost hits the floor as I read through the notes.

What the fuck?

I continue reading through the document and feel my face glowering with anger. I’ve come across files ofthreeseparate women who have lodged sexual harassment claims against Paul Howard, and from the looks of it, each one has been brushed under the rug. Flipping back to his employee profile, I read through it again, but I can’t find anything to suggest why he would still be employed here.

I know for a fact he isn’t linked to Peter. I’ve known Peter for some time. He was one of the first people who believed in me, investing in my first restaurant and helping me get to where I am today. And I know there is no way he would stand for this. Not if he cared for Elle the way I think he did. The only other option is thatsomeoneat the company is being paid to keep him here. Regardless, that asshole will be gone by first thing tomorrow morning.

As I sit and read through each of the sexual harassment cases, my jaw aches from grinding my teeth so much. I don’t know what he’s done or how he’s done it, but the fact that all three women left within a month after making their claim doesn’t sit right with me. How hasn’t this been flagged?

Pulling out my cell, I see the time reads ten p.m. I know it’s late, but I don’t care. This isn’t something that can wait, so I hit dial on Miller’s number. Being Peter’s former right-hand man, he must know something. After the third ring, he answers in a cheerful voice.

“You still at the office, boy? Surely, there’s a lady waiting for you somewhere at this time on a Thursday evening.” He chuckles down the phone.

I roll my lips at the thought of Elle waiting for me, in my bed at my apartment, which makes my cock twitch in my pants.

Focus, idiot.

“Sorry for the late call, but I have a pressing question I’m hoping you can answer,” I say, my eyes locked on the computer screen.

“Go ahead. I’ll try my best,” he says in that same cheerful tone.

I have a sinking feeling it won’t be there when he answers my question.

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