Page 101 of Until You (Forgive Me)

“Isabella. What a lovely surprise,” he said before his eyes darted around the table.

Isabella watched his shoulders and torso loosen as he took a deep breath and moved forward, inclining his head in greeting to the other board members.

“What’s she doing here?” Edward asked. “This is a closed board meeting.”

It surprised Isabella when Pierce rounded on his son.

“Enough!” he said, his voice cutting. “The game is up, Edward, or are you too blind to see?”

Edward looked at his father, taking a step back. Isabella doubted Pierce had ever raised his voice to Edward.

“Take a seat,” Curtis said calmly. “A few things have been brought to light over the past couple of weeks...”

He didn’t get to finish what he was saying before Edward jumped in.

“Whatever that lying bitch has told you, it’s not true. Isabella’s trying to get back at me for those photos and breaking off our engagement.”

“Edward!”

Pierce’s voice cut across him, but the damage was done. Edward’s future had been cemented. He’d just admitted to the photos that had destroyed her reputation. The board were aware of Isabella’s findings, but if anyone had been sitting on the fence, they had their proof.

Edward lunged across the table, aiming for the paperwork that sat in front of Isabella. His eyes were wide, his pupils dilated. It was then she realised Edward’s drug problem was not something he’d overcome, but an ongoing issue. Seb appeared behind him and helped Pierce restrain him while Rhonda requested security attend the boardroom. Edward struggled in vain against their grip, spittle flying from his mouth as he continued to hurl abuse at everyone in the room.

When security finally burst through the door, Pierce spoke to them quietly.

Two men restrained Edward, removing him from the room.

“I’m sorry about that,” Pierce said, straightening his suit jacket before he took his seat at the end of the table. “I take it you are asking for my resignation?” he asked, holding eye contact with everyone around the table.

“Are you disputing the information we have heard?” Rhonda asked as his gaze met hers.

“I’m not sure what you’ve heard,” he said. “I take it you have visited White and Partners.”

Isabella nodded, a tightness clenching at her throat and lungs.

“Then Isabella has uncovered I stole from her trust fund.”

A collective gasp echoed around the room. No one had expected him to admit what he’d done. Even Isabella had thought he’d deny it. Her eyes locked with Seb’s, and he sent her a supportive smile.

Pierce looked at the table and fiddled with the paper in front of him.

“I’d like to talk to Isabella alone if that’s possible?”

“No way,” Seb said from the corner.

Pierce’s eyes flew to his. Even though Seb had helped him restrain Edward, it was clear he had paid no attention to who the person was.

“Ah,” Pierce said, a small smile gracing his lips. “My replacement, I take it? I know Isabella is dating Christian Dupree, but as he’s not here. Sebastian McCarthy.” His smile grew. “A great choice. You have a good business head. Christian will miss you, but his loss will be King and Lebroc’s gain.”

Isabella looked around the table. There was obvious confusion on the face of every board member. Pierce sighed before walking to the window. He turned and faced the room.

“I’ve been expecting this for many years. It’s a relief.” He turned to Isabella. “Your father was the business brain. He was my best friend and wanted someone to join him on his journey. He made me a lot of money. But I’m a fake and too old. I lost control of Edward. I’ve tried to help him.” His eyes filled with tears. “I’m sorry, Isabella. I can’t replace the money I took. I’ve used it to bail him out over the years. His drug and gambling habits have exceeded anything I can handle anymore, but I couldn’t let them kill my only son. That was not an option.”

“You were quick to send me to rehab,” Isabella said quietly.

“I was... I honestly thought I was doing the right thing. Edward convinced me you had a problem with drugs that had started when your father died. He said he’d tried to help you, but it was more than he could cope with. I’m sorry, Isabella. If I’d known he was dating you for your trust fund...” Pierce held her gaze, returning to the table and taking his seat. “When you caught him with Victoria, he knew the game was up. There was no way you would take him back. I didn’t know at the time he was already in debt for tens of thousands of pounds. After you left, he came to me... desperate. They’d shattered his arm as a warning.” His gaze dropped to the floor. “I was only going to borrow the money and put it back...” Pierce ran a hand through his hair. Isabella saw the pattern. “The next time I found out Edward had used his position to steal company funds... we were about to be audited, so again, I dipped in and used your fund to cover the money he stole. After the first couple of times, it was easy.”

“But you needed two signatures to access the trust fund?”

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