“Somehow I doubt she’d be any happier.” Cole couldn’t keep the bitterness from his voice. “But you always did know what was best for everyone, didn’t you.”

Something flickered in the older woman’s eyes, and Cole almost dared to name it regret. But there were too many angry words between them, too much distance, for him to offer her a way out now.

“Why does it matter to you, Anita? What do you care what Darci does? She was happy doing this job, was breaking her neck to keep your dividend checks rolling in so you could enjoy the life-style you’ve become accustomed to.”

Anita Blackmore straightened, glaring her hatred at Cole. “I hate this company. It took my husband away from me. I never saw him, and the long hours eventually killed him.” A shudder rippled through her. “Then I lost my daughter to the same corporate monster. All I could see was her devoting her entire life to a pile of concrete. I wanted her to be happy, to have the family she’s always dreamed about. But she didn’t even have the time to date.”

Anita’s voice shook with the strength of her emotions. “I want to see this company destroyed. And Jeffrey is just the man to do it.”

Darci finally looked up, her eyes haunted by her mother’s words. “He knew what you wanted?”

“He knew, and he was to be well rewarded for his efforts.”

Darci shook her head, confused by her mother’s logic. “How would he be rewarded? Your bread and butter would be defunct, and we’d all be looking for work.”

“I have money put away. Enough to keep Jeffrey happy and by your side, and enough to keep me living comfortably. Jeffrey and I even had plans to start a new enterprise, something that you wouldn’t be interested in.”

“I don’t think you truly understand how much money your plans would take, Anita.” Cole tamped down the anger building inside him. The woman’s logic was so badly skewed he couldn’t even come up with a decent argument.

“I understand more than anyone has ever given me credit for. If you had just stayed away, Cole, it would have worked. You may have managed to ruin part of my plan, but I’ll still be rid of this company.” Her voice dropped to a threatening whisper. “And there’s nothing you can do to stop me.”

Cole wrapped his arm around Darci’s shoulders and pulled her into the hallway. “We’ll be in my office.”

“You don’t have an office, Cole. Your position has been terminated as of now,” Anita said.

“Until I hear that from the new president of this company, I’ll be in my office.” He kept walking, refusing to acknowledge Anita’s sputtering protests.