Page 102 of Until You (Forgive Me)

It was Danielle who spoke up.

“I did. You, my lovely Danielle, are too good a person and would have done nothing to hurt Isabella. It devastated you when she left, but Mr Carl Danvers was more than happy to oblige for his own minor cut.”

The room had fallen silent.

“Are the police on their way?” Pierce asked, his gaze once again locking on Isabella.

Isabella stared at the man she’d spent her life looking up to, her father’s best friend. Not recognising the man he’d become.

“No. You’re going to retire and appoint Sebastian McCarthy as your successor. Edward will leave with you and will be admitted to rehab immediately. If not, I will press charges against him and make sure he gets a prison sentence for all the crimes he committed. I’m leaving the money you put into the firm where it is. My father worked hard to build this company up. I want it to survive, and a scandal of this nature will destroy it. You will repay the money you used to pay Edward’s debts. I know you are mortgage-free, so you never used your own money to help Edward. Therefore, what is yours will now become mine.” Isabella stared at the man her father had called a friend. “The only reason I’ve not called the police is I didn’t want my name dragged through the press again, but I’ve changed my mind. You have a choice. Do what is right. If not, I will go after you with everything I have, and you will spend the rest of your days in prison.”

Isabella watched a knowing smile form on Pierce’s face.

“Dominic would be so proud of you. You aredefinitelyhis daughter.”

Isabella felt her face harden.

“I never want to hear you mention my father’s name or refer to him again. He trusted you. I trusted you, and you stomped on that trust. I’m just sorry I let you get away with it for so many years. But that stops now. A car is waiting, as it did for me, to take Edward to rehab. I expect you to sign the papers to have him committed. As for you, security will escort you back to your office to clear your desk. The company will make an announcement about your retirement. You will stand next to Sebastian when the time comes and tell him you could not be happier. You are then going to retire to your villa in Majorca, which I will own, and you will spend the rest of your life there. This is because my father loved you and for no other reason. Go against me and see what happens.”

Pierce’s lips formed a thin line as he stood.

“I really am sorry,” he said, looking around the room. “It has been a pleasure. I will have my lawyer contact yours.”

Two security guards met him at the door. When he’d left, the room fell silent. It was Sebastian who spoke up. “I want to make this transition as painless as possible. However, I think everyone has had more than enough for one day. I would suggest we reconvene in twenty-four hours. Isabella and I will work with marketing to draw up a press release notifying everyone of Pierce’s retirement and my appointment.”

Isabella stood and greeted each of the board members one by one. Jonas and Rhonda had tears in their eyes and told her how much like her father she was. Isabella’s heart swelled at their words. For the first time since he’d died, she felt in control. It was as if her soul had stopped hiding... or maybe that was her backbone snapping back into place.

Sebastian exhaled loudly after the last member left.

“Wow,” he said. “You really know how to kick ass. Remind me never to get on the wrong side of you.”

Isabella couldn’t help herself, laughing at the expression on Sebastian’s face.

“Thank you. You helped give me the strength I needed. I’m sorry it came to this, but I’m glad Pierce will not fight us, or at least I hope he doesn’t. I don’t want to drag this through the courts if I don’t have to, but if he pushes me, I will.”

“I think he got that message loud and clear. As did the rest of the board. They’ve all sat back and let this happen. No one in this room was guilt-free. They have rested on their laurels, and that is going to stop now. I will repay the money taken from your trust fund, even if it takes years.”

Isabella’s heart swelled at his words.

“Just keep my father’s company afloat. The rest can wait. It’s not like I need it, and I can’t think of a better place for the money to be invested.”

They made their way out of the building. Security had notified Isabella, Edward, and Pierce were now on their way to a rehab facility outside London. Phase one looked to be complete. She just had to hope that Pierce was going to be sensible. Somehow, she knew he would. He knew he had got off lightly.

Chapter Forty-four

Christian

Christian watched Isabella blossom in front of him. It was as if, over the past month, stepping foot inside her father’s business had unlocked something inside her, finally allowing her to make the ultimate step in becoming the woman she was always meant to be, and she took his breath away.

He struggled as he watched his best friend form a bond with the woman who had become such an integral part of his life. She was still set to leave, but he was holding onto every moment they had while she was here. Now, he was sharing her with Seb and the other board members. He was no longer the only one receiving late-night work calls.

So far, Pierce had kept his word. On his sixtieth birthday, he’d given a press conference announcing his retirement and Sebastian’s appointment in his place. When questioned about Sebastian’s appointment over Edward, Pierce had shocked everyone by announcing Edward was currently in rehab, undergoing treatment for mental exhaustion and that they would appreciate privacy while he recovered. He told the press Edward’s place at the table would wait for him when he got better, which was, of course, an outright lie, but it had stopped further questioning on the matter.

Isabella had left Tobias to deal with Pierce’s lawyer. They were looking to transfer all Pierce’s property into Isabella’s trust fund to replace the assets he had stolen. It was more complicated than Christian wanted to think about, but that was what White and Partners, Toby and Pierce’s solicitors were being paid for.

“What does Skylar want to do this weekend?” Isabella asked, dropping onto the sofa next to him and kicking off her heels.

It was strange seeing her in a suit as opposed to yoga pants.

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