Part 2
Celeste spent the next morning posting photos from the party. In every picture, the fountain incident had been cropped out. Her caption praised “legacy, elegance, and family.” My mother was not mentioned.
By noon, Celeste arrived at my penthouse with her father, Victor Monroe, and three lawyers.
Victor remained standing. “Last night was unfortunate. Elena should accept a private apology and sign a confidentiality agreement.”
My mother, wrapped in a plain cardigan, looked at the document. “You want me silent because your daughter assaulted me.”
Celeste sighed. “Please stop using dramatic words.”
I poured coffee. “What happens if she refuses?”
For Complete Cooking STEPS Please Head On Over To Next Page Or Open button (>) and don’t forget to SHARE with your Facebook friends.Victor smiled. “Then certain investors may reconsider their confidence in your company.”
He believed his family still controlled the old-money banks funding my newest redevelopment project. He also believed my company needed their approval to survive. Ten years earlier, that might have been true.
I slid the agreement back. “We will consider it.”
Celeste kissed my cheek. “That is why I love you. You are reasonable.”
After they left, my mother stared at me. “You are not marrying her.”
“No.”
“Then why did you let them walk out smiling?”
“Because arrogant people reveal more when they think they are safe.”
The audit had already confirmed what I suspected. Monroe Holdings was not a thriving dynasty. It was a collapsing mansion freshly painted for guests. Victor had borrowed against nearly every property, shifted pension money between subsidiaries, and used Celeste’s charitable foundation for personal expenses.
Worse, their rescue depended on me.
