72.73%
io I only removed you as president. I’m not pressing charges for everything that happened on your watch
‘m giving you five thousand a month. You keep the condo at Emerald Cove. You won’t starve.”
But as of today, you have nothing to do with Holt Group.”
turned to Tessa.
As for you.”
Bribery Corporate espionage. assault on a company executive. Evidence is complete. Witnesses and documents”
These charges will put you away for several years.”
The money you stole through illegal means? Legal and the police will track every cent.”
ake her out.”
said it quietly.
wo security officers stepped forward. Tessa collapsed. They caught her.
s they pulled her past me, she twisted her head and shrieked.
You’ll regret this! Spencer will destroy you!”
looked at her.
Tessa, you’re going away for a long time. Don’t wait for Spencer to come get you. He can’t even save himself.”
ecurity took her out.
he room went quiet.
e legal director stepped up.
4.dam, the Attorney’s office has accepted the case. Expect an indictment next week
dded
y on it. Every hidden account she has Don’t miss a single one‘
derstood.”
he time all the paperwork was done, it was evening.
t in the president’s office and watched the sunset
Chapter 9
81.92%
“So I only removed you as president. I’m not pressing charges for everything that happened on your watch.
I’m giving you five thousand a month. You keep the condo at Emerald Cove. You won’t starve.”
“But as of today, you have nothing to do with Holt Group.”
I turned to Tessa.
‘As for you.”
‘Bribery Corporate espionage assault on a company executive. Evidence is complete. Witnesses and documents.”
“These charges will put you away for several years.”
“The money you stole through illegal means? Legal and the police will track every cent.”
“Take her out.”
I said it quietly.
Two security
- rd. Tessa collapsed. They caught her.
As the
he twisted her head and shrieked.
er will destroy you!”
ing away for a long time. Don’t w
to come get you. He can’t even save himself.”
her out.
i went quiet.
egal director stepped up.
Madam, the Attorney’s offic
Expect an indictment next week‘
odded.
Stay on it. Ever
isa a single one.”
was evening
ed the sunset.
81.82%
I was tired
Not mentally
Sixty–two years of bones Too much anger for too long
Someone knocked
Mrs Shaw poked her head in
Madam, Ms. Brooks is here”
1 stood up
Lauren walked in.
She looked so much bett
But her eyes were
She must h
She st
the waist.
er cheeks. A cream dress. Her hair in a low ponytail
er hands twisted in her skirt. Her lips pressed together
few weeks, if you hadn’t-
rt think I would’ve made it.”
ked at her. My chest hurt.
She’d lost so much weight.
I walked to her and put m
Lauren, Patrick Su
81.82%
Chapter 10
She froze.
Patrick Star always stays with SpongeBob.
That was our code from college.
We were inseparable back then. Running around, causing trouble, not a care in the world.
She always said I laughed like SpongeBob. I told her she was my pink Patrick Star.
Lauren’s eyes went red instantly.
ou’re…”
I smiled.
“What, you don’t reco
Lauren lunged a
“Why did
here.”
s around me. Buried her face in my shoulder.
was to breaking.”
have to do it all alone.”
were in the rain. At the constr
me holding you.”
harder. Her voice broke
wed up as an old lad
the highest–le
with you?!”
Come on. Grandma is way more powerful
Does he know what’s going on?”
kid’s obsessed with art. He’s thrilled someone else is running the company.”
90.91%
I didnthorher stopping him
Whatever People make their own choiceS
Time moved
Three and a half years
I sat in the presidents office flipping through the latest issue of a business magazine
Lauren was on the cover
The headline read (Lauren Brooks From Merger Pawn to CEO, How She Rewrote the Rules in Three Years!
She forwarded me a text from Julian.
Julian [Nice cover. You look better than me. Also, not coming to the board meeting this month. Gallery installation)
I laughed
Smart kid.
Holt Group had gone from eighty billion to a hundred and twenty billion during that time.
Lauren turned Riverbend into the best mixed–use development in the city. Landed three more projects.
My job as ‘Madam‘ was coffee, magazines, and the occasional signature.
And Spencer?
He waited for Tessa to get out.
(foapte 19

Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.