After hearing everything last night, I didn’t find anything he could use against Ace. First of all, Ace didn’t murder his father. It was an accident. His father got shot during the fight. It wasn’t his fault. Even if he and Dad kept it hidden for the sake of his future, it wasn’t that big of a crime for Arthur to destroy Ace. Nor was there any proof. He might know about it, just like Warner did, but he didn’t have anything to prove. Ace and Dad made sure not to leave any evidence of the past.

That leech! He knew what Ace meant to me. I’d die before letting anything happen to him. The bastard just used it against me to keep my mouth shut until he got a way out of his crimes and Ace’s wrath.

I was a hundred and one percent sure he didn’t have anything against Ace. If he did, wouldn’t he and Antonio have used it already?

And the frustrating thing was, why didn’t I figure this out earlier? Why didn’t I listen to my instinct?

I was certain he was planning something big this time. And he would pull off his plan through this contract. I didn’t know what was exactly going through his wrinkled brain, but I had a strong hunch. He’d be using this contract to harm Ace and the company. Half a billion wasn’t a joke.

But I wouldn’t let this happen.

I wanted to tell Ace everything last night, but he was distressed enough for me to start any more stressful conversations with him. He needed a break. I thought I’d tell him this morning calmly, but he was gone even before I could wake up.

Rushing down the stairs, I dialed his number. But as he said, it was unreachable. So, I called Carter. After two rings, he picked it up.

“Good morning, Ms. Hutton.” His cheerful voice came through the phone.

“Carter, can you please pass the phone to Ace? I need to talk to him urgently.”

“Umm, I’m so sorry, Ms. Hutton. But maybe he has already entered the conference room. I’m on my way back to the office. I need to pick some files. Do you want me to give him a message?” he asked.

I came to a halt, panting from flying down the stairs so fast. “Wait, the meeting isn’t happening in the office?”

“No. It’s being held in hotel Diamond Valley.”

Diamond Valley? It was a twenty-minute drive from here. Not that far. But…the meeting has already started.

“Is it with the Russians?” Even though I knew it was, I hoped for the otherwise.

“Yes, Ms. Hutton. Both companies are going to sign the final contract today.”