Read Story: SEASON 1 EPISODE 128

"He worked for your grandfather for a number of years. I was never privy to what the man got up to, but I assure you it was nothing good." Chandler shook his head apologetically, "Listen, I'll be of as much assistance as possible, but Colin knew I didn't have the constitution for some of the more cutthroat aspects of doing business on his level. I suppose he respected my skills enough to keep me around but understood that I had my limitations. I was content to look away and was given free reign over my little corner of his empire."

He looked uncomfortable admitting all that... guilty even.

"Look" I said, "I'm not here to judge. All I'm looking for is a place to start. Could you provide me with everything you know or at least suspect? Some kind of layout of all the corporations he owned, what industries they're linked to, the countries they're in... as much as you can. Including any information you can give me on stuff outside your 'corner of the kingdom."

Chandler gave me an appraising look. "What do you intend to do with this information?"

I don't know yet. I'm just getting tired of not having all the answers. Can you put all that together by the end of the week?"

"I could have it in your hands in two days if needed."

"That would be amazing," I said. I felt a weight lift off my shoulders. It felt good to be making some sort of progress, even if it wasn't much.

"About Maddox," went on. "Is the board convinced to bring her on?

"More or less," Chandler said. "Maddox deserves her reputation as an empire-builder. She fell out of favor with your grandfather, but that always seemed more personal than professional. No one on the board really cares about that sort of thing."

"Do you think you could stall for a couple weeks before the board puts it to a vote?"

Grayson rubbed his chin, looking a little displeased by the request. "Two weeks is a bloody long time to go when many of them have already made up their mind..."

"I just need time to get to know the players," I said, "and figure out what I'm going to do."

"I suppose I could make it work," he said reluctantly.

"Cool. I'm going to be in Vegas for a few days. I'll be back on Monday. We can meet after I've read up on everything and everyone.

"Leaving town? At a time like this?"

"Cartwright showed up this morning and nearly put a bullet in me," I said. "I have news cameras constantly chasing me. My brother was in my face this morning asking me for money, and I just found out that one of the women who's been hounding me for a date has been talking to Cartwright. I'm feeling claustrophobic, and I just need a few days to blow off some steam, collect my thoughts, and read through all the stuff you're going to send me."

"Well," Grayson reluctantly admitted, "when you put it that way, perhaps a short holiday might be in order, but I'd like to stress that if you intend to take on the entire board, you need to be back in town by the beginning of next week. There are just some things that can't be done over the bloody internet."

"That's fair," I said, "and I'll try to take care of as much as possible while in Nevada.

"Very well," Chandler said, his smile having a sickened tinge to it, "and I'll go ahead and set up a board meeting for the Monday after next."

"Sounds good," I said.

"Might I ask," Chandler sald, eyeing me, "Who do you intend to run the show if not Kelly Maddox?"

"Would you be interested in staying on in that role? You did say you could keep the ship floating in these troubled waters... or something like that."

The look on Chandler's face was one of complete shock. "Me? Why, yes... I would be interested in a more permanent position as CEO, but why me? We barely know each other."

"Helen says you're trustworthy, you've been CEO since my grandfather died, and I don't get any red flags from you. It's not much, but it's all have until have something more solid to go on."

"Well," he said, giving me an astonished smile as he grasped my hand, shaking it furiously, "in that case, I would be honored to take the job."

Chandler spent the next half hour reviewing some of the company's high-level details. By the time he left, my head was swimming with names, places, and dates as if I was about to take a History test on VistaVision. After we were done, Helen escorted Chandler to the lobby, promising to meet me at my apartment a little later. That left me with Erin; I gave her a simple set of instructions and then sent her on her way so she could get home In time to pack for our trip.

Fifteen minutes later, I emerged from the elevator onto the floor where I used to work. Chloe was waiting for me in the lobby, but I had one more pit stop before I called it a night.

It was late, and only a few people were still on the floor, but I paid little attention to them as I made my way to Natalie's office. Her light was still on. Reaching the door, I knocked and waited for a response.

"Come in!" her voice sounded through the door. I opened it and entered to find Natalie clicking away at her computer. She looked up from whatever she was working on and saw me standing there, and her eyes widened.

"Oh! Marcus!" She started to get out of her chair.

"Don't get up. I just wanted to catch you before I leave," I said.

Natalie, who had just started to stand, slowly lowered herself back In her chair. "Okay," she said with a smile filled with uncertainty.

She was dressed in a smart grey suit and a white blouse buttoned up to the hollow of her throat, and I couldn't help but notice a delicate, heart-shaped pendant resting on her caramel skin. A small diamond glinted in the shitty office lighting. I glanced back up to meet her dark eyes and gave her a soft smile. I hadn't seen her since our conversation yesterday.

So much had occurred between then and now. I saw my brother, patched things up with Helen, had a gun pulled on me, bought a plane, found out that my grandfather had evil, manipulative schemes, learned that I had an uncle in prison for murder, found out that Ashlee was in league with the guy who had pulled a gun on me... it had been a busy twenty-four hours. That meant I hadn't had time to think about Natalie.

Seeing her there in all her beautiful glory... it hurt.