“James will be picking me up to go to the office today.” I looked over at Kelly dumping ketchup on her hashbrowns and tried pretending last night never happened. Everyone at the table knew and didn’t talk about it while I silently finished most of my plate, praying that my phone would ring to save me from this awkward breakfast.

Brent winked at me over his food and my phone buzzed.

Unknown: Secrets spilled create a stain just like blood

Well, that wasn’t ominous at all.

Incoming Call: Evans

“Looks like that’s me,” I said, standing to grab my purse and bolt out of the house. “Hello?”

“Your car is waiting. James and an associate will escort you.” Click.

I held the phone out in front of my face. “Nice to talk to you too,” I replied to no one, closing the front door and escaping the events of yesterday.

“Hello, Miss Montgomery,” a man at the door greeted, opening it up for me. He offered to take my coat and purse for me, but I opted to keep everything on me. No way I’d trust anyone for a while–even with just my coat.

A few men walked around me, making me feel like I had the freaking secret service at my disposal. Boarding the elevator, they circled around me in a protective manner. The upcoming CEO deserved protection, after all.

That’s why I had James stationed on me day and night, swapping out occasionally with someone else for around the clock eyes.

They escorted me to the boardroom, full of men in expensive suits, and stood in a strict line outside the door. Hands at the ready in front of them and eyes forward–it was kind of cool, but a bit off putting.

“Miss Montgomery,” Evans said, holding his arms out, walking towards me to greet me in a hug. “You look wonderful! Look how much you’ve grown up.”

Very different from when he was on the phone. I scanned the room, everyone looking at me and only me. “Um, thanks.”

Mr. Evans, CFO of Montgomery Group, shifted around some power due to the lack of a CEO, was acting CEO in preparation of my arrival. My birthright as they said. I was set to take over at twenty one, but why I wasn’t aware of things earlier or brought around say, when I was eighteen, made no sense.

Instead, I rotted away at my aunt’s house, waiting until she kicked me out.

“Since we are all here today, I’d like to honor your mother’s memory. Her leadership and ferocity shaped this company into the powerhouse it is today. Without her, we’d all be out of a job.”

All the men nodded in response.