She clutched her handbag.
“Nothing.””
But the way she avoided my eyes told me there was something she wasn't saying.
May you like
My Wife Stole My Daughter’s Future to Give Her Sons Everything
The receipt in my hand was worth twenty thousand dollars. But the piece of paper my ten-year-old daughter had pulled from the tra...
The Secret My Wife Left Behind
The police officer didn't look at me when he said my wife's death might not have been an accident. He looked at Vanessa. And the...
The Billionaire's Daughter Was Slapped in Her Own Hotel—And the Manager...
The woman who slapped me had no idea whose baby I was holding. And the hotel manager who ordered me out had no idea that the buil...
And suddenly, I wondered whether the humiliation at the entrance had been an isolated incident.
Or whether someone had known I was coming.
Chapter 3: The Secret Behind the Acquisition
By the time I arrived at headquarters, the rain had turned the city streets into sheets of silver.
Sterling & Rowe's executive offices occupied the top four floors of a glass building in Manhattan.
My father had visited the headquarters twice during negotiations.
I had never been there.
Not because I lacked the authority.
Because I wanted to understand the company before walking into its boardroom and demanding changes.
Now, I was beginning to suspect that someone had been counting on my ignorance.
The receptionist stood as I approached.
“Good afternoon. Can I help you?””
“Evelyn Carter. I'm here to see Victor Hale.””
Her fingers stopped above the keyboard.
“Mr. Hale is in a meeting.””
“Tell him I'm here.””
She looked toward the elevators.
“Of course, Ms. Carter.””
Her voice was polite, but her expression was tense.
I stepped aside and waited.
A few minutes later, a tall man with silver hair emerged from the elevator.
He wore an expensive charcoal suit and carried a leather briefcase.
Victor Hale.
He was in his early sixties, with the practiced smile of someone who had spent decades convincing people that everything was under control.
“Evelyn,” he said warmly.
He extended his hand.
I shook it.
“Victor.””
“I wish we'd met under better circumstances.””
“So do I.””
He gestured toward the elevators.
“Shall we?””
We entered a private conference room overlooking the city.
A long mahogany table occupied the center. Water bottles stood beside neatly arranged folders.
Victor closed the door.
“I understand there was an unfortunate incident at our Madison Avenue location.””
“An unfortunate incident?””
“I'm told you were treated improperly.””
“I was told I couldn't afford to shop there.””
He grimaced.
“Terrible. Absolutely unacceptable.””
“Apparently, it wasn't unacceptable enough to prevent it from happening.””
He gave a tight smile.
“Customer service is something we're reviewing.””
I placed Sophia's folder on the table.
“Then perhaps you can explain this.””
His eyes moved to the documents.
For a fraction of a second, his expression changed.
Then the smile returned.
“Where did you get those?””
“Does it matter?””
“Some of those records are confidential.””
“I'm the owner.””
“Of course. I simply mean there are internal matters that require context.””
I opened the folder.
“Why was Margaret Langford given access to private inventory records?””
Victor sat down.
“Mrs. Langford has been a valued relationship for many years.””
“That's not an answer.””
“She has connections to several major investors.””
“Still not an answer.””
He exhaled.
“Richard understood the importance of maintaining relationships with people who can influence the market.””
I studied him.
“My father is retired from day-to-day operations. He doesn't get to make decisions for me.””
Victor leaned back.
“Evelyn, I don't think you understand the complexity of what you've acquired.””
There it was.
The first crack in his polished performance.
“Then explain it.””
He opened his briefcase and removed a folder.
“Sterling & Rowe has several properties that are significantly more valuable than the retail business itself. Certain locations have attracted considerable interest from property developers.””
I nodded.
“I know.””
“Then you understand why there were preliminary discussions about selling selected assets.””
“Preliminary discussions?””
“Nothing was finalized.””
I opened the documents Sophia had given me.
One page contained a list of stores.
Another contained proposed sale prices.
I recognized three locations immediately.
The Madison Avenue boutique.
A flagship store in Beverly Hills.
And the historic London location on Bond Street.
All three were among the company's most profitable stores.
I looked at Victor.
“These aren't preliminary discussions. These are signed purchase agreements.””
He reached across the table.
“Those documents are not what they appear to be.””
I pulled them away.
“Then tell me what they are.””
He adjusted his tie.
“There's an issue with the timing. The buyers were interested in acquiring the properties before the ownership transfer.””
“But the properties belonged to Sterling & Rowe.””
“Technically, yes.””
“And you were negotiating their sale without the approval of the incoming owner?””
He didn't answer.
I flipped to the final page.
There was a signature.
And beneath it, another name.
Margaret Langford.
I stared at the paper.
“Why is her name here?””
Victor's expression hardened.
“She was acting as an intermediary.””
“An intermediary for whom?””
“Several private investors.””
“Was she receiving a commission?””
He looked away.
That was answer enough.
I closed the folder.
“How much?””
“I'm not at liberty to discuss confidential compensation agreements.””
I laughed once.
“You're discussing the sale of my company's properties. I think you are.””
He leaned forward.
“Evelyn, perhaps we should approach this carefully. There are obligations already in place.””
“Then we'll have the legal department review them.””
“Your father would not have wanted this.””
I froze.
“What did you say?””
Victor seemed to realize he had made a mistake.
“Richard and I have worked together for years. He understood how business works.””
“My father trusted you.””
“And I respected him.””
“Then why did you hide these agreements?””
Victor stood.
“Because the acquisition was complicated, and we didn't want to create unnecessary instability.””
I remained seated.
“Who else knows?””
He looked toward the window.
“The board.””
“All of them?””
He hesitated.
“Most.””
I stood.
“Then I suggest you call an emergency board meeting.””
“That's unnecessary.””
“I'm not asking.””
He gave a thin smile.
“You may own the company, Ms. Carter, but that doesn't mean you understand how to run it.””
I gathered the documents.
“Perhaps not.””
I walked toward the door.
“But I understand the difference between serving a company and stealing from it.””
His voice followed me.
“Be careful. You may discover that your father left you more problems than you realize.””
I turned.
“What exactly are you suggesting?””
He picked up his briefcase.
“Ask him why he insisted on keeping Margaret Langford close to the company.””
My phone vibrated.
A message from my father appeared.
*Evelyn, please come home tonight. Don't confront Victor until we've spoken. There's something I need to tell you about the original acquisition agreement.*
I stared at the message.
Then another notification appeared.