Page 67 of Until You (Forgive Me)

This was not something he’d heard before.

“Why would you? You were trying to rescue the company. You’d just lost Lily. Scarlett had moved to the US, and you were marrying Lindsey. I’m not sure anything would have registered on your radar, even if it had been right under your nose,” Seb added, shrugging.

“Do you think Danielle and Pierce were sleeping together before Dominic died?” Christian asked, his brain whirring.

This was not good news. Both Danielle and Pierce were trustees of Isabella’s trust fund. What Seb had just divulged pointed an arrow at something that had been niggling him since he had first spoken to Isabella all those months ago, but he needed to check it out before he said anything.

He just had to hope he was mistaken.

“Back to Isabella,” Seb added, not knowing he’d potentially opened a can of worms. “The television station called. They want to set up a meeting with Isabella to discuss the interview. They propose Wednesday when Andrew is there. Apparently, it’s something he insisted on. It seems like Isabella has made quite the impression all round,” Seb said, looking at Christian with a mischievous glint. “She is even more beautiful than she was as a teenager. I look forward to meeting her again.”

Christian growled, making Seb laugh. He knew Seb was yanking his chain, but he couldn’t help it.

“That gives us a day to get Isabella prepped and ready,” Christian said, almost to himself.

“Don’t worry, from what I’ve seen so far, she’s no shrinking violet. She simply removed herself from the spotlight until she was ready. All she needs to do is keep her head and stay calm. They can only rattle her if she lets them.”

Christian’s stomach churned. He knew Isabella could handle this. He just wished she didn’t have to.

“Give the television station the go-ahead. I’ll be there with her. I’ll have Lucy cancel or move any appointments. We will also need a full security team to ensure she gets in and out of the building with the minimum of fuss. I want additional security at Skylar’s school for the next week. I’ll notify Star and Damian about what is happening.”

“I would suggest a press release to follow, highlighting the key points discussed,” Seb added.

“I’ll leave that with you,” Christian said. “Although I want to check with Isabella that she’s happy for one to be released.”

Christian sat back, his fingers steepled under his chin as Seb left. Taking a deep breath, he called Isabella to update her. She had seemed relieved it would be sooner rather than later.

As soon as he ended their call, he dialled Toby’s number.

“Tobias Grant,” a voice sounded over the line.

“Toby, it’s Christian Dupree.”

There was a pause. Toby had lived and practically helped raise Skylar with Star after she was born. He was also married to Star’s best friend, Laura. It had been Toby’s father who arranged Skylar’s adoption and Toby who had locked down Christian’s rights to Skylar when Star had agreed to let him back into their life. They were not friends, but Toby was civil when it came to Christian, finding it harder to forgive him over his betrayal of Lily, Star and Skylar than anyone else.

“What can I do for you, Christian?” Toby asked.

“I may have an issue for you to look into. It’s going to require a gentle hand,” Christian said, holding his breath. “Danielle King and Pierce Lebroc…”

Chapter Thirty-one

Isabella

Isabella’s heart was in her throat as the mic technician clipped a microphone onto her shirt and linked it up to the receiver clipped to the back of her trouser suit.

“Just speak normally,” the woman said, smiling at her encouragingly.

“Thank you,” Isabella said, her voice wavering.

“You’ll do great,” she added, giving Isabella’s arm a gentle squeeze.

Everyone had been lovely since she and Christian had arrived. A runner had taken them to the green room where they’d been told to wait. The producer had come and introduced himself, explaining how the morning would work. The crew then took Isabella to the makeup room before fitting her with a microphone. Christian and Andrew had both been waiting for her when she returned.

Andrew came forward and gave her a hug. His smile was warm and welcoming.

“Ana sends her love and said to knock ’em dead.”

Isabella smiled at his words. Ana was quiet, but by the time she’d left Christian’s, the two had exchanged life stories. She could not believe how welcome Christian’s friends had made her.

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