The Love Of Money - S01 E245

Story 2 months ago

The Love Of Money - S01 E245

Read Story: SEASON 1 EPISODE 245

Chandler did a terrific job of parrying all the attacks thrown at him.

"Oh, come now!" the current CEO said as things were beginning to get a little heated.

"Colin Gerrard's death must be considered! You can't simply ignore performance when there's instability at the top... especially when the bloody founder of the company dies!"

"That's hardly an excuse," another of the men said, and I recognized him-Gus Hathaway. He owned three percent of the company and seemed very analytical but also cutthroat. "A press release wasn't issued until days after his passing. That huge oversight cost the shareholders collective millions, and that decision was yours."

"When the wealthiest man in New York dies, not only does it affect his own companies but the local economy. Caution had to be applied... especially when there were anomalies in his posthumous demands!"

Me. Chandler was talking about me and the fact that I'd inherited everything. I wasn't the only one who knew it, either. As I glanced around, several shareholders were throwing glances my way.

"It wasn't like Gerrard wasn't showing signs of falling health," Kelly said. "You lacked the foresight to put a strategy in place that would deal with his death, and it shows how unqualified you are for this position!"

"Kelly Maddox, did you ever meet Collin Gerrard? You know how much of a stubborn old codger he could be! Do you think I made no attempts to install safeguards? I assure you, you wouldn't have done any better! Do you know why I'm so convinced? Because you're the one he fired, whereas I stayed in his service for years after you were terminated!"

Maddox's face flushed, and her full lips compressed into a thin line. "You know that's not on me! Logan Gerrard-"

Grayson cut her off. "Logan Gerrard had nothing to do with Collin growing tired of having you in his bed, which is the reason-"

"Okaaaayyy!" The woman with the white blonde hair slowly stood up as she placed her hands on the table and pressed her fingers into the surface. "I appreciate this helpful dialog, but I think we should all take a few minutes to cool off."

Her voice was soft and affected by a gentle Scandinavian accent.

She wasn't loud, and her tone wasn't harsh, but there was something about how she spoke that gave off a subtle air of authority... as if she were the only adult in a room full of children, and she was telling them it was nap time.

Chandler's face-which had grown pale-reddened, and I'd spent enough time with him to be aware of his embarrassment over letting Kelly get to him enough that he stooped to mud-slinging.

"You're right, Astrid," he said, his tone clipped. "I suggest we take a twenty-minute recess to let cooler heads reign. There's coffee available and more substantial food in the room just down the hall."

With that, the meeting broke up, and Carla leaned forward, grabbed Erin's and my attention, and whispered, "What did I tell you? These meetings are always exciting! So much tea!"

She put a hand next to her mouth so that people across the table couldn't see, subtly pointed to Kelly, and mouthed, "That slut!"

I thought that was rich coming from the woman who had married a seventy-year-old man for his money while trying to seduce me in the bathroom of a coffee shop, but I simply nodded and smiled. Then I followed Erin into the hall and down to the break room, where a magnificent spread of food was laid out for everyone attending the meeting. Unlike in the board room, where cold cocktail shrimp and pinwheels sat on a table lining one wall, this room had breakfast tacos, donuts, fried chicken, waffles, and more.

The food wasn't the only thing waiting there. Chloe stood next to the door, pulled me aside, and walked down the hall several feet until she was satisfied with the relative privacy.

"What did you find?" I asked.

"It's not good," she replied.

"What does that mean?"

"Her story checks out," she said.

"What does that mean?" I repeated.

"It means Amber Bell stayed in the Radisson in Alexandria, Virginia, on Friday and Saturday night, according to the hotel and Virginia, on Friday and Saturday night, according to the hotel and credit card company."

"You confirmed all that in less than an hour?" I asked, surprised.

"Psalter isn't cheap," Chloe said.

"Worth it, though," I said.

"Are you sure-

"It's her!" I hissed. "I swear to fucking god, every time I look at her, I'm convinced all over again!"

"Okay," Chloe huffed, looking past me to make sure we were still alone. "All the findings show that she spent money in Virginia. It doesn't mean she was actually there. I've already got Henry on it. He's trying to get more solid evidence one way or the other."

"Good" I said. "Thanks."

"How's it going in there?" Chloe asked.

"I don't know," said. "It got a little daytime television. Chandler lost his cool and accused Kelly of getting her position because she slept with Colin."

"Hmph," Chloe grunted.

"Yeah. The whole thing has turned into a blood sport. Kelly isn't much better, but still... I've never seen Chandler this agitated. I'd like to think it's all moot because we have enough shares to win with Hiro and Wayne. Hiro's hard to read, but he doesn't look particularly impressed by anything being said in there. I wish Wayne was here so I could get a read on him."

"You can still win it without Wayne, right?" Chloe said.

"Barely, but yeah," I admitted. "I can't win it without Tanaka at all, though."

"You've done all you can. Worry about what you can control, Chloe said.

I huffed. "You sound like my dad."

"He's a wise man."