Chapter 41
Chapter 41:
“Where are they going?” Kieran demanded. “Where is she p>
“I checked her calendar before I lost access,” Aspen said. “The company retreat. This weekend. At the Catskills lodge p>
Kieran stood up. A dark, twisted smile spread across his face.
“Pack a bag, Aspen,” he said. “We’re going on a trip p>
“To the retreat?” Aspen asked, uneasy. “But we’re not invited p>
“I’m a concerned investor,” Kieran said, his voice dripping with menace. “Douglas Tech is one of Wolfe Group’s largest creditors. Given the recent management upheaval, I have a fiduciary duty to inspect my investment. And its new leadership p>
He walked to the window and looked out at the city lights.
“I’m going to expose her,” he whispered. “I’m going to show everyone that her marriage is a sham, that she’s a drug-addled gold digger. And then I’m bringing her home p>
The ghost of Harvey’s cheap cologne still lingered in the HR director’s office — a bitter scent of defeat. Jocelyn sat in his now-vacant chair, the leather still holding the faint warmth of its previous, unlamented occupant. She had spent the entire night poring over the hotel’s financials, and the picture was even uglier than she had imagined. The weekend retreat was looming, and she needed to consolidate her power before Uncle Vincent could rally the old guard against her.
Arthur, the perpetually sweating finance controller and Uncle Vincent’s loyal lapdog, stood nervously by the desk. His feet were planted wide, his cheap polyester suit a stark contrast to the polished mahogany surrounding him. He clutched a tablet, knuckles white.
𝗧𝗋e𝘯𝘥𝗂n 𝗼𝗻
“Well, if it isn’t the little princess,” Arthur sneered, his voice a poor imitation of Harvey’s drawl. “Or should I say, Mrs. Mystery p>
Jocelyn walked straight to the desk and slammed a thick binder down onto it. It was the employee roster. The impact sent a stapler jumping an inch into the air.
“Explain this,” she said, her voice steady despite the pulse hammering in her throat. “Why are half the names on this list marked ‘active’ when the hotel is operating on a skeleton crew? Where are these people, Arthur p>
Arthur swallowed hard, his bravado flickering. He fumbled with his tablet. “Field work, ma’am. You wouldn’t understand the complexities of modern hospitality management p>
“Field work?” Jocelyn flipped the binder open, her finger stabbing at a column of names. “Housekeeping staff doing field work in Las Vegas? For three weeks p>
Arthur shrugged, a weak smirk playing on his lips. “Team building. Market research. It was approved by Mr. Vincent. You know — the man who actually knows how to run this place p>
“It’s embezzlement,” Jocelyn corrected him. “You’re paying ghost employees and funneling the money into travel expenses for your friends. I want them terminated immediately. And I want the severance paperwork processed before lunch p>
Arthur laughed — a wet, condescending sound.