Chapter 8: The Panic
Evan and Denise were starting to unravel.
According to Margaret, their lawyer had become much more aggressive in the past twenty-four hours. They were now claiming that I had been mentally unstable for months and that I was fabricating evidence to gain control of the company. They even tried to suggest that I had something to do with the warehouse fire.
Margaret dismissed it all.
“They’re desperate,” she said. “And desperate people make mistakes. Every lie they tell gives us more to work with.”
Still, I couldn’t ignore the knot of anxiety in my stomach.
That night, I sat alone in my apartment and stared at the ultrasound photo I kept on the fridge. I was only twelve weeks pregnant, but I already felt fiercely protective of the life growing inside me.
I placed my hand on my stomach.
“I’m going to make sure you’re safe,” I whispered. “No matter what it takes.”
My phone rang. It was my father’s old business partner, Richard Hale. He had been one of the few people I trusted in the company.
“Allison,” he said when I answered. “I just wanted to check on you. I heard about what happened.”
“I’m okay,” I replied. “For now.”
Richard was quiet for a moment.
“Evan’s been calling some of the board members,” he said. “He’s trying to convince them that you’re the problem. That you’re trying to take over the company out of spite.”
I wasn’t surprised.
“What did they say?” I asked.
“Some of them are listening,” Richard admitted. “But not all. A few of us remember how hard your father worked to build this company. We’re not going to let it be destroyed by greed.”
I felt a small measure of relief.
“Thank you,” I said quietly.
Richard’s voice softened.
“Your father would be proud of you, Allison. He always said you were stronger than you realized.”
May you like
After the call ended, I sat in the dark for a long time.
I had spent so long feeling alone in this fight. But maybe I wasn’t as alone as I thought.
