He had said he would have torn that place apart,” but somehow her brain translated it to be would have missed her
A faint blush crept across her face.
“Um_ thanks for your concerns,” she managed.
“I show the same concern for all my employers,” Zarek replied evenly.
Rex blinked in confusions: The same concern for everyone? Since when?
The atmosphere suddenly filled with an awkward tension that nobody quite knew how to break..
Finally. Rex jumped in, cheerfully returning to the factory situation. “Miss Whitmore’s pretty sharp, boss. She got about eighty percent of it right.
“What a
about the twenty percent I missed?” Charlotte asked, grateful for the change of subject.
“Those ghost employees? They were actual ghosts, in a way. They’re dead–Mateus killed them.
“Dead?!”
Charlotte’s eyes widened in shock
She had assumed they might be relatives or friends on a fake payroll, not murder victims
Rex nodded grimly. “Crazy, right? None of us saw the homicide angle coming
Charlotte’s mind raced. “That explains everything. That’s the leverage Victor had over him. No wonder Mateus was willing to take the fall.”
erious as murder.
Payroll fraud and kidnapping weren’t nearly as serious as
“They were actual factory workers–first hires, married couple. They hadn’t been there two weeks when Mateus killed them one night. Claims it was an argument that got out of hand.”
“Victor discovered the bodies and cooked up this whole scheme, creating the illusion they were still alive. Even made up a workplace injury story To keep the other employees quiet, they split the ghost salaries. From that point on, Victor had them all under his thumb. ”
*And Victor wasn’t just after that chump change from payroll fraud. He had bigger ambitions. Set up a renewable energy company under his brother–in–law’s name and had Mateus steal research data and raw materials. The accountant cooked the books, shit superviser ran interference, it’s insane. What looked like a small leak turned out to be systematic looting”
Charlotte felt sick just hearing about it.
She’d suspected there was more to the story, but nothing this extensive
She glanced at Zarek. “Tim guessing a total clean sweep/
an is coming?”
If the factory was this corrupt, the branch office mast have had collaborators too. This kind of operation couldn’t have Downunder Se without inside help.
radar
“A complete overhaul is exactly what’s needed.” Zarek nodded. “This branch has been underperforming for years. I was planning to restructure anyway, so this gives us legitimate grounds. Not a total loss.”
His matter of fact tone made Charlotte suddenly feel like some corporate bloodhound–spilling out corruption and bringing down the hammer.
The door opened as Issac returned.
His expression was already dark, but seeing Zarek in the room set it plummeting further.
“Mr. Weadey, what’s with these daily visits to another man’s wife? What exactly are your intentions? Isaac’s voice dripped with hostility.
55.49
Zack remained som prisingly composed. “I’m checking on my employee’s recovery After all, she was injured while working for me
Bath statements were factually accurate, yet something short the delivery fab slightly off
I’s bead vein visibly poland. “Let me make this crystal clear. She is MY woman in life or death, she belongs to me. Anyone who trjentu come
Zaceklistened
threats with a faint, almoet med mile
Though he didn’t say a word, his expression somebony felt challenging, at if he had just told a joke that he found entertaining.
bar seemed intend the meaning behind that sinile, his hostiling intensifyint
- *, Vas sweating bulleni. “Mr. Wood, you’ve completely minimlerstood. Were there for a professional courtesy visit, nothing more. And our CEO is a total gembemain, no some player Lean personally gita suice he hasablonlutely no interest in Miss Whitmore”
Zarek gave Rex a cool, slightly its hated glance
Charlotte was utterly mmtified.
She didn’t care to explain anything to Issac, but she couldn’t let Zarek suffer these haseless accusations. “Tisac, would you stop being insane? Mr. Weasley has no interest in me the doesn’t even like women
Her last statement successfully silenced the entire room.
After a long pause, Zarek finally spoke, his expression a mix of appreciation and speechless exasperation. “Miss Whitmore, thank you for that clarification about my personal life. I should really give you a bonus for such enthusiastic PR work”
With that, he stood and walked toward the door.
Charlotte belatedly realized what she’d implied and desperately tried to salvage the situation. “I didn’t mean you like men! What I meant was
The door slammed shut,
Charlotte closed her mouth.
Issac narrowed his eyes suspiciously. “Weasley’s pay? Doesn’t look it.
Charlotte’s temple throbbed with a headache. “Issac, we are DONE. Even if you’re dragging your feet on the divorce calling me your wife, stop calling me your woman! I’m not anyone’s possession–1 belong to myself
» papers, we are finished! Stop
“Unless I’m dead, nothing between us will ever be done, Issac growled, his tone hardening as if trying to carve the words into her bones, making it clear that his determination matched hers.
She was determined to leave him.
He was equally determined to keep her.
The next morning
itex arrived at the hospital with the driver to settle the medical bills and handle the discharge paperwork for Charlotte
He was feeling the pressure but pushed through anyway.
Why should she take his plane? We have our own. We don’t need your help, Issac declared imperiously when he learned they’d come to take Charlotte to the airport.
Charlotte ignored him completely, focusing instead on getting out of bed, gesturing for Rex to bring the wheelchair closer
55.7
Chapter 63
Issar stood up and blocked the scheelchair
Charlotte immediately lost it. “What are you doing right now? Lood|| foeve me to stand and tear it open again? Would that make you happy?
jar was taken aback
epliqnically figher My leg wound has barely beaded–are you trying t
He hadn’t wanted in argue with her, much less harm her. Histone softened. “Taking out jet bark is just as good. There’s no need to impose in others.
Cluulette’s expressomremained ice cold. “There
between you and me You’re the cottider bere”
Tesar felt he he’d been stabbed in the west, the pain sharp and vineral
In the end, he didn’t dare physically stop her, fearing th
ght struggle and reopen her wound.
However, he insisted on pushing her wheelchair himself and followed her into the ear headed for the airport
He actually didn’t want to return to New York quickly. He wanted to find somewhere private where they could rectect and rebuild their relationship
At the airport VIP lounge.
Zarek observed Issar’s presence with cool detachment. “Mr. Wood, looking for
ride?
Issac, surprisingly thick skinned, replied, “Indeed. If you’re feeling stingy about it, Mr. Weasley. I’m happy to pay for my seat.”
Cha
