“We’re allowed to know information. We’re not allowed to give advice.” Wes reassured me they’d help in any way they could, ethically.
“I got overwhelmed after speaking to Michelle,” I began.
“You should’ve called me. I would’ve taken care of that bitch.” Todd was pissed.
“Todd! Focus.” Rick reined him in.
“Thanks, Rick. I wanted to be near my dad for a while. I went to his office on the top floor, but someone was in there. I figured out it was Raquel with a man. I’m almost positive I know who the man was, but there’s no way in hell I’m watching this video. I need someone else to watch it and tell me if I shot a video of Raquel having sex with Scott Allen, the interim CEO of Asche Publishing.”
Todd and Rick gasped in unison. “If that’s what you found, then this case is over, pumpkin!” said Todd.
I looked at Arch, Gray, and Wes. They all had huge smiles on their faces. “I know you three can’t comment, but I’ll take your smiles as this is a good thing for my case.”
Arch shrugged. “You’d have to ask your lawyer.” He continued to smile though.
“I need someone else to watch it. I can’t stand to see it.” I handed my phone to Todd.
“Yuck,” he said, but he tapped away at the screen, pulling up my videos. He hit play, and all five guys crowded around the phone in his hand.
The microphone on the cell picked up more volume than I’d been able to hear in person. When I realized there was more to their tryst than canoodling, I crowded in with them.
The screen showed them doing some heavy petting and kissing, but thankfully all clothes remained on. Their words excited me. “Scott, I’ve upheld my end of the bargain. I need you to deliver the board to me. Unless we get more of them on our side, our plan will never work.”
“Are you sure it’ll work?” The slimy CEO pulled away from Raquel’s neck, giving the camera a crisp view of both of their faces.
“How many times do I need to explain this?” Raquel pushed Scott to arm’s length. “We win the lawsuit. I take over as CEO. We prep the company to sell, then the night before the news breaks, we sell our stocks. All of my stocks are already in a fake name. We need to sell yours to the same fake name before I get control of the company. Then the sales won’t be traced to us. I know a guy that can do it entirely under the radar.”
“You’re exciting when you’re being devious.” He began to lift her dress, and I jumped and turned away. Mercifully, the video cut off before anyone was subjected to my naked stepmother.
Todd said what everyone thought. “This is it, Ell. Show this to the judge, and it’s all over.”
“I wondered though… Couldn’t I show it to Raquel and basically blackmail her into dropping the suit? Wouldn’t it be faster and easier?” My three non-lawyers gave me serious, unhappy looks.
“That’s too generous. They need to pay for what they tried to do,” replied Todd.
I glanced at my silent judges, and they smiled again. “You three are kinda creepy.” They chuckled but continued their silent treatment.
“I do think you’d be allowed to answer this,” I began. “When this is turned over to my lawyer, will she go to jail?”
“Yes,” said Arch. “Most likely.”
Gray pushed forward and pulled me into a hug. “Relax, gorgeous. It’s become a night to celebrate. Before we go upstairs and dance our pants off, perhaps you have something you want to e-mail so it’s saved on more than one server? In case something happened to your phone.”
“Oh!” I gasped. “Great idea.” I grabbed my phone from Todd and e-mailed the video to Todd, Rick, and myself. That way if somethingdidhappen, it would be saved on three different servers.
“Let’s go celebrate!” I chirped.
Chapter Fourteen
Champagne and laughter filled my evening. I passed out the rest of my envelopes and pictured my father’s smile every time I tucked one into someone’s hand. I was called up to the small stage to give a speech—luckily, before drinking too much champagne.
“Good evening, all. I had no idea I’d be asked to give a speech tonight. Forgive me for doing this off the cuff.” I took a sip of my drink and clutched the podium nervously. “I’ve known many of you since I was a small child, running around these offices.” There were a few faces in the crowd I’d known since birth. I pointed to a few of them. “Several of you were with my family before we even bought this building. Remember the tiny office across town?” Heads nodded along with me, and a number of people laughed.
“My family built this company, but they didn’t do it alone. Each one of you had a hand—some of you a large hand—in our success. I don’t know how to thank you for it, but I’ll find a way. I’m incredibly proud of what this company has become and of the people we work with.” I raised my glass to the room. “May your holidays be wonderful. I hope Santa is good to you all this year.” I sipped my champagne, and the room sipped theirs before breaking into applause.
I stepped down from the podium to many handshakes, hugs, and condolences. It was heartening to hear many people whispering encouragement—they wanted me to win the lawsuit. Barely stopping myself from shouting my news, I smiled and thanked them.
The party began winding down at ten. I’d been circling the room with one or another of my friends all evening. I gestured to all of them to join me, and we began working our way out of the room. Raquel had the same idea. We met up with her outside the doorway. I held out my hand. “After you.” I smiled my sincerest, sweetest smile. “I hope you have a wonderful evening, Raquel.” She narrowed her eyes at me in suspicion, but never said a word. I hoped she enjoyed herself. It would be her last fun night for many years to come.
