“And the current management knows nothing about this?” Archer asked, already anticipating the answer.
“If they do, they haven’t acted on it,” Victoria said. “Which means either gross negligence or complicity.”
Archer nodded thoughtfully. “Options?”
“We should walk away,” Marcus suggested. “There are other acquisition targets without these complications.”
“Or we could use this to negotiate a lower purchase price,” Victoria countered. “Their board will want to avoid the publicity of fraud charges.”
“And the employees involved?” Archer asked, thinking of Morgan.
Marcus shrugged. “That’s typically handled post-acquisition. Investigation, termination, possible prosecution depending on the evidence. But with something like this, we should steer clear. No sense borrowing trouble, there are plenty of other marketing agencies we could consider.”
The clinical discussion of potential fraud charges made Archer’s jaw tighten. If Morgan had unknowingly signed off on fraudulent documents, would she be implicated? The thought of her being dragged into a criminal investigation because of her boss’ actions was unacceptable.
“I want a deeper investigation before we proceed,” Archer decided. “Focus on proving who’s responsible and who’s innocent. I won’t have blameless employees caught in the crossfire.”
Victoria gave him a curious look. “That’s a level of detail we don’t typically concern ourselves with pre-acquisition.”
“I really think we should drop this one, it isn’t worth it when embezzlement is involved.” Marcus pushed.
“It will be done by someone anyways, I believe the potential profits outweigh the cost,” Archer said, his tone making it clear the matter wasn’t up for debate. “Have the report on my desk by the end of day tomorrow.”
The meeting concluded shortly after with action items assigned and next steps clarified. As the executives filed out, Marcus lingered behind.
“Everything okay, Archer?” he asked once they were alone. “You seem unusually invested in the personnel aspects of this acquisition.”
Archer gathered his materials, keeping his expression neutral. “Just being thorough. The creative talent is a significant part of Vertex’s value. I won’t have it compromised by one bad actor.”
Marcus seemed to accept the explanation, though not entirely convinced. “If you say so. Oh, and don’t forget the Tokyo call tonight. Nine PM.”
“I’m well-aware.” Archer confirmed, already mentally calculating how early he would need to leave the office to execute his other plan for the evening.
Archer sat in his black Audi sedan, parked on the bottom floor of a parking garage he was hoping had a quick payment method for the ticket he took when he parked, his eyes fixed on the entrance to “Pottery with Purpose,” the storefront where Morgan’s pottery class took place. He’d traded his motorcycle for the more anonymous vehicle, knowing Morgan would recognize his distinctive Ducati immediately.
He felt ridiculous. Here he was, Archer Sullivan, CEO of a multinational security firm, essentially stalking a woman he was already involved with. But ever since discovering thefraud investigation this morning, pointing to Morgan’s boss, a protective instinct had overwhelmed his usual rational approach.
If Richard Jenkins was embezzling funds and potentially setting up others to take the fall, Morgan could be in danger—professionally, if not physically. Archer needed to know she was safe while he figured out how to handle the situation.
After watching her arrive with her friends, he had kept himself busy with emails as he kept an eye on anyone entering or leaving the shop. A few hours later, Morgan emerged with the three other women she’d arrived with, all laughing. Morgan looked beautiful—relaxed, carefree, her smile genuine in a way that made his chest tighten.
One of the women—tall, with a chin-length bob that swung as she gestured animatedly—must be Tessa, based on Morgan’s descriptions. She seemed to be telling a story that had the others in stitches. Morgan’s head tilted back in laughter, exposing the elegant line of her throat, and Archer found himself transfixed by the sight as he tracked her progress down the sidewalk.
He was getting ready to pull out to follow them, when the women turned into a wine bar just two doors down, arm in arm, still chatting. Archer kept the car in park, feeling both protective and intrusive. This was a side of Morgan’s life he wasn’t part of—the easy friendship, the weekly traditions, the normal existence that didn’t involve blindfolds or hidden identities.
For a moment, he allowed himself to imagine joining them—walking into that wine bar as just Archer, a regular man dating Morgan, meeting her friends without secrets or complications. The fantasy was so appealing it physically hurt.
Reality, however, was far more complex. The Tokyo call in less than two hours. The fraud investigation threatening Morgan’s workplace. The barriers he’d constructed between his identities that now felt like prison walls.
Archer kept watch while simultaneously working until the women emerged from the wine bar at 8:30 PM. They hugged goodbye at the corner, separating in different directions. Morgan headed toward the bus stop, her oversized purse an obvious weight on her shoulder.
He frowned. Bus? At this hour? Without thinking, Archer started the car, preparing to follow at a discreet distance to ensure she got home safely.
His phone rang—the Tokyo team calling early to prepare for their discussion. Archer hesitated, torn between answering and focusing solely on Morgan.
With a muttered curse, he accepted the call while keepingMorgan in his sights.
“Sullivan,” he answered crisply.
