They were probably wondering if they’d still have a job tomorrow. Or maybe…

I spied a girl at her desk. She was separated from the others. The expression on her face told me she wasn’t wondering about her job. She was wondering about his.

She was exactly the type of person I did this for.

“I’m launching an internal investigation.”

“You? You can’t do that. I’m the CEO⁠—”

“As your biggest shareholder, I can.” I turned to him. “And I will.”

He cast his eyes to the side, his jaw clenching. And just like that, he was in my grasp. All I had to do was go in for the kill.

“My people are here. Your time is up.”

And with that, I left.

26

ADDISON

Nothing.

I went back as far as I could, but there was nothing about my father.

At least anything useful.

I searched his name. The company he once ran, The Mercer Group.

But I came up empty-handed.

I chewed on my bottom lip as an idea popped into my mind. It was stupid and likely wouldn’t reveal anything, but I could at least try.

I typed friend into the search bar. To my surprise, one email popped up, but the title didn’t seem to have anything to do with my dad.

Insurance Issue.

I opened the email thread, my heart skipping a beat in my chest when I saw the last message Warren had sent.

He’s my friend, he wouldn’t do that. He’s not like that. Check again.

The next message was sent by someone who signed his name in initials. T. K.

This shouldn’t be discussed in emails. Call me.

I scrolled up, trying to make sense of their conversation, but it was at least twenty emails long.

A door closing had me jumping in my seat. My eyes shot up to Warren, fearing I’d been caught snooping, but he was now in the adjoining conference room. Nick was nowhere to be found, but Warren was talking to a familiar face.

Why is that guy here?

I watched as Warren and the guy in glasses from the charity event who bought the paintings for that orphanage talked. Their expressions gave nothing away, which had my eyebrows raising to my hairline.

This is not a coincidence.

But who is he?

The nagging feeling in the back of my mind got more and more annoying the longer I stared at him.

I know him. I know I’ve met him before, but where⁠—

“You’ve been working so hard, Addi. Mind if I take you out for an early dinner?”

I jumped at the voice and looked around to find Nick standing by my desk with a warm smile. I let out a breath and returned it. No; actually, I’d really like to finish reading this fucking email, so can you please go away?