Chapter 67
Chapter 67:
“I’ve replaced it. Fifty million. Five-year exclusivity with the Collins Group p>
A gasp. “Fifty million p>
“Yes. And Elouise p>
“Yes p>
“If you ever raise your voice to my wife again, or suggest she beg another man for anything, I will personally see to it that the trust you live on is audited and frozen pending investigation. Do you understand p>
“I… yes. Yes, Gaston. Of course. I was just… worried p>
“Be worried about your own finances,” Gaston said. “Goodbye p>
He hung up and tossed the phone onto the sofa.
𝘚𝗁𝗮rе y𝘰𝗎𝗋 𝘵𝘩𝘰u𝗴htѕ 𝗼ո.соm
Jocelyn sat there, stunned. Tears pricked her eyes — not from sadness, but from relief. No one had ever stood up to her mother like that. Not her father. Certainly not Kieran.
“You didn’t have to threaten her,” Jocelyn said, wiping her eye.
“Someone had to,” Gaston said, sitting beside her. “She’s a bully. Bullies only understand force p>
“She’s my mother p>
“She’s an obstacle,” Gaston said. “And I don’t like obstacles p>
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small velvet box. The Harry Winston watch.
“You forgot this in the car p>
Jocelyn took the box and opened it. The platinum gleamed under the recessed lighting.
“It’s for you,” she said softly. “A thank-you gift. For… everything p>
Gaston took the watch out. He removed his own — a vintage Rolex — and set it aside. Then he handed the new watch to her.
“Put it on me p>
Jocelyn’s fingers trembled slightly as she fastened the clasp around his wrist. His pulse was steady and strong beneath her fingertips.
“It fits,” she whispered.
“It’s perfect,” Gaston said. He looked at the watch, then at her. “I’ll wear it to the gala p>
“The gala?” Jocelyn groaned. “I forgot about that nightmare p>
“It won’t be a nightmare,” Gaston promised. “It will be a coronation p>
The conference room at the Wolfe Hotel was packed. Every department head was there. Uncle Vincent sat at the head of the table, looking smug.
“We need a vote of no confidence,” Vincent declared as Jocelyn walked in. “Jocelyn has lost the Smith contract. She has brought police to our doorstep. She is unfit to lead p>
Murmurs of agreement rippled through the room.
“She’s young,” one board member said. “Inexperienced p>
“She’s dangerous,” Vincent added. “We need to reinstate the old leadership structure. Me p>
The door opened fully.
Jocelyn walked in. She wasn’t alone. Flanking her were Liam, Gaston’s head of legal, and Harvey, her new Head of Security.
“You’re in my chair, Vincent,” Jocelyn said calmly.
“You don’t have a chair anymore,” Vincent sneered. “We’re voting you out p>
“Before you do that,” Jocelyn said, signaling to Liam, “you might want to read this p>
Liam placed a stack of leather-bound folders on the table and slid one to each board member.
“What is this?” Vincent demanded.
“A strategic partnership agreement,” Liam announced, his voice projecting to the back of the room. “Between Collins Global Holdings and The Wolfe Hotel Group p>
Vincent flipped the folder open. His eyes bulged.
“Five years?” he choked. “Fifty million dollars p>