Chapter 37
Chapter 37:
“I have the audit team ready,” Jocelyn said. “Gaston’s personal forensic accountants. They can be here in an hour. Or you sign the transfer, and I delay the audit for a month — giving you time to fix your books p>
It was blackmail. Pure and simple.
Robert looked at her. He saw the steel in her eyes and realized, with a sinking feeling, that the stepdaughter he had ignored for years had become a shark.
“If I sign,” Robert said, his voice hoarse, “you keep the Collins lawyers away p>
“For now,” Jocelyn said.
Robert signed. The scratch of the pen on paper was the sound of his capitulation. He stamped it with the corporate seal.
Jocelyn took the documents and checked the signatures. Valid.
“One more thing,” Jocelyn said, sliding the papers into her bag.
“What now?” Elouise asked, taking a long pull of gin.
𝖬𝗼𝗿𝘦 𝗇𝗈𝘷e𝗅𝘀 o𝗻
“This marriage,” Jocelyn said. “It stays quiet. No press releases from you. No bragging at the country club. No ‘my son-in-law Gaston p>
“Why?” Elouise frowned. “It’s the biggest coup of the century p>
“Because Gaston values privacy above all else,” Jocelyn said. “If he finds out you’re using his name to climb the social ladder, he will divorce me. And if he divorces me, I lose the protection. And then I come after you with everything I have p>
Robert nodded vigorously. “Understood. Complete discretion p>
“Good p>
Jocelyn turned to leave.
Aspen was waiting in the hallway. Her cheek was red and swollen.
“You think you’ve won,” Aspen hissed. “But Kieran will find out. He’ll know you lied p>
Jocelyn stopped. She leaned in close.
“Kieran is in a holding cell,” Jocelyn whispered, “facing assault charges. And I just took controlling interest in the family company. I’m not winning, Aspen. I’ve already won p>
She walked out the front door.
The rain had stopped. The air smelled clean.
She got into the Rolls-Royce. Gaston was on his tablet.
“Done?” he asked without looking up.
“Done,” Jocelyn said. She patted her bag. “I own them p>
“Good,” Gaston said. “Now let’s go home p>
She looked at him. “Thank you. For the name p>
“It’s a useful name,” Gaston said. “Use it well p>
Kieran sat on the edge of the hospital bed, his hand bandaged. The police had released him on bail, but his knuckles were fractured.
Aspen rushed into the room, fake tears streaming down her face.
“Kieran! Oh my god p>
“Did he die?” Kieran asked, his voice flat.
“No. Babe is in stable condition. But the Vincents are pressing charges p>
“I don’t care,” Kieran said. “What about Jocelyn? Did you see her p>
Aspen hesitated, formulating the perfect lie. Telling him the truth about Gaston Collins was out of the question — it would make Jocelyn a prize he’d fight even harder to win back. She had to make Jocelyn sound pathetic and fallen.
“I saw her,” Aspen said, looking down and twisting a handkerchief in her hands.
“And p>