Page 21 of The Exposed Heiress

Her eyes widened. “You’re wrong. She liked Tyler and welcomed him to the family.”

He shrugged. “Ask her.”

He should leave it alone. It messed with his mind. It shouldn’t matter that Georgia thought the Bloom family was beneath her. Her husband had saved them years ago. His mother, Tyler, and himself. James had walked into the unheated warehouse in Rotherhithe when he was eight years old and had begun putting their meager possessions into a canvas tote bag. His mother had tried to stop him, but James insisted on bringing them to his uncle’s house.

Emma turned away. “I will ask her in the coming weeks. Right now, she’s with my father. I can’t possibly bring it up.”

A coldness settled in his chest. “It no longer matters.”

She leaned back against the seat and let out a heavy sigh. “I think it does matter, Leo. But it’ll have to wait.”

He wanted to forget his past, but he wouldn’t allow himself that luxury. His father’s weaknesses were hidden in Tyler and him. Only by examining his behaviors and choices would they stay free of his mistakes.

The Mercedes pulled up to Francis Bolles and instead of waiting for the driver, he climbed out and held his hand to Emma.

She stepped out on the sidewalk and he closed the door. “You could wait for the driver. It’s a routine for him.”

He met her gaze. “I don’t need to be waited on.”

The driver hurried around the car, “Ms. Bolles, should I pick you up at seven?”

Leo answered, “I’ll take her home.”

The man nodded. “Certainly, sir.”

Emma smiled at the driver and said, “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Leo walked into Francis Bolles with her. “Why do you need a driver?”

Glancing down at her phone, Emma said, “My parents hire the service. My mother prefers the security and privacy it provides.”

He kept pace with her. “The business pays the expense.”

She narrowed her eyes. “Are you certain?”

He nodded. “I am.”

Emma whispered, “How much of their personal finances are tied to the business?”

The Bolles family was going to need to make changes. “Your father takes an exorbitant monthly draw and the company pays for many of their expenses. Restaurants, clothing, entertainment, travel. Their lifestyle is expensive.”

She stopped walking. “That’s going to be affected?”

Leo stayed silent. It would be a board decision.

Emma touched his arm. “What about the private clinic?”

He turned his hand and cupped her elbow. “I don’t think so. I imagine they pay for their private insurance.”

* * *

Emma stepped awayfrom Leo and forced a much-needed breath into her lungs. Her father should have kept his personal wealth separate from the business. It made everything so much more complicated.

She could barely string together two thoughts. Avoiding various employees, Emma escaped into her father’s office.

Leo came in behind her. “Do you want to start with finding a new location or coming up with a staffing plan?”

Her mind raced and she couldn’t focus on one idea.

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