Nick’s voice was especially somber now. “I’m sorry, Annie. At present, the business owes far more in back taxes, interest, and penalties than it earns. So the short answer is...nothing.”

“Don’t say that!” Her breath hitched and tears began to fill her eyes. Despite her best attempts at keeping her emotions rational and in check, upon hearing this she couldn’t help her despair.

Nothing...

What the fuck had Frank done? And why? He’d come highly recommended, so she’d trusted him to keep the books in order when the salon had become so busy that she could no longer do it.

Granted, she’d had a hard time letting go of the reins initially, but that was understandable. This was her business, her baby. And Frank had messed it up on her—stolen from her, cleaned her out!

Her knuckles went white as she clasped the side of the chair. She’d kill him. She’d track the bastard down, wherever he was, and there’d be hell to pay...

“It’s a horrible situation.” Nick was still talking. “And he obviously scarpered when he knew he’d be found out.”

“This can’t be happening...” Annie whispered, almost to herself. “He can’t get away with this...”

“I know you’re upset and that’s understandable,” Nick soothed, moving to place a comforting hand on her arm. “This is a huge shock to the system—for anyone. But now we need to figure out what happens next.

“The salon owes the taxman a lot of money—everything. Even if you set up a payment plan, with interest and penalties, you’ll be paying it back for years. And the current cash to hand won’t be enough to keep paying the staff or indeed yourself a salary for too much longer.”

A cry left her lips so suddenly it surprised her. “You mean I’m finished? Gone? The salon is finished?”

She didn’t know how to process any of this. She’d worked so hard for so many years to get where she was.

Felicity had trusted her to make something of herself.

Now Annie felt dizzy. It couldn’t be true. All these years, all the work—blood, sweat, long hours, and sacrifice—gone. The shock, confusion, and pure disbelief she was feeling then reminded her of when she’d first heard news of her father’s death all those years ago. This, too, felt like a death.

It couldn’t be happening...

Her mind reeled as she tried to get a handle on the implications of it all.

She wanted to run out of the room, get as far away as she could from Nick’s words and this unfolding nightmare.