Chapter 5
“The keys are in my possession now,” Madison continued. “If you need a car for work, you’ll have to submit a formal request form. I’ll be the one approving it.”
An intern.
One who had been here less than ninety days.
Was now going to approve travel requests for the operations director.
The sheer absurdity of it would have been funny if it weren’t so revealing.
“Understood,” I said.
I picked up a pen and signed the acknowledgment slip with a flourish.
Madison snatched the paper from my desk, her expression glowing with triumph.
“Smart move. Oh, and Nate told me to tell you we have a massive client coming in next Monday. He specifically requested the Cullinan for transport. Make sure you clear out all your personal junk. I don’t want the client seeing car seats or teething toys. It’s embarrassing for the firm.”
I agreed so quickly that it startled her.
She turned and walked out, her heels clicking against the floor like a victory drum.
I watched her go, then pulled out my phone.
My bank balance was more than enough.
Then I dialed the number saved under Legal.
“Hey, Robert. It’s Diana Mercer. Yes, I need to consult on a few things. Illegal seizure of private property, back payment of unauthorized expenses, and potential fraud. I have everything. Every wire transfer, every service receipt, every insurance binder from the last two years. All in my name.”
After I hung up, I opened the bottom drawer of my desk.
Inside was a thick manila folder.
The original sales contract.
The title.
The tax certification.
And there, in bold ink beneath Registered Owner, were two beautiful words.
Diana Mercer
Two years ago, Nate had offered to sign a lease agreement—twenty thousand a month.
I told him not to worry about it.
“We’re partners. Keep the cash in the business until we’re stable.”
We never put anything in writing.
At the time, I thought it was loyalty.
Now I understood the truth.
It was simply a weapon I had placed in his hands, trusting he’d never turn it against me.
If they wanted to play by the book, then fine.
We would count every penny.