Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 91049 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 455(@200wpm)___ 364(@250wpm)___ 303(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 91049 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 455(@200wpm)___ 364(@250wpm)___ 303(@300wpm)
“It was quite the delicate situation with your mother’s—” He pauses to clear his throat. “He wanted to secure your future. Your mother started Beauty for Ashes Event Planning International in London before leaving for the States. After her passing—I’m so sorry for your loss—after, he returned here and picked up where she left off.”
“My head is spinning. So you’re saying that I have a company here in London?”
“That I am. I’ve been managing things here for the business and the estate your mother left in your name. Again, I’ve sent word of your inheritance numerous times.”
“All I’ve ever received were some papers for a Château. I just haven’t had the time to look into it. The papers said it’s being looked after,” Cinder says and rubs her forehead.
I reach to rub her back. A stress line forms between her brows. I bite back all the things I want to say. It’s clear someone has been interfering with her getting information.
“And I must make a correction, my dear. You’re the owner of Beauty for Ashes Event Planning in London and Milan. Your company is quite successful here,” Beasley says proudly.
Cinder sits quietly as the wheels turn. She frowns and alarm fills her eyes. She wipes her palms on her thighs.
“So what does this mean? Can my stepmother and her daughters make a claim on the companies here? I don’t know what my father was thinking when he gave them shares of the US company,” she says and starts to chew on her bottom lip.
Beasley’s brows furrow. He looks between Cinder and me. I don’t like the look I’m seeing. I know he’s going to reveal something that will make me furious.
“This is the second time I’m hearing this. I don’t understand it. Your father asked me to draw up his will. He planned to take it to the States to file it, but I personally drew up the documents for him. Unless he changed them once he returned to the States, you were the sole beneficiary,” Beasley says.
“I was told he changed it sometime before his death,” Cinder murmurs.
“That’s odd.”
“How so?” I ask.
Beasley scratches his bald head. “I remember asking him if he was sure he didn’t want to add his new bride to the original documents. He was adamant that everything was to go to Cinder and Cinder alone.”
I begin to grit my teeth. I can make heads of what has happened to Cinder’s inheritance from her father. Or I should say, who happened to it.
“Do you mind providing those reports for her to have a look at now?”
“Not at all. You will be very pleased, I’m sure.”
Beasley hands over a file for Cinder to look through. I rub her back as she begins to shake a little. Her mouth falls open. She looks over to me with tears in her eyes.
“I can buy them out,” she whispers. “Thank you.”
“There’s no need to thank me. And we’ll wait on you buying anyone out. First, we need to find out if they have any rights to your company in the first place.”
“Thank you all the same, Princeton. I never would have known if it weren’t for you,” she chokes out.
* * *
Cinder
I’m still in awe. I have more than enough money to buy those trolls out. All this time I’ve had a company waiting for me.
My head is still spinning as we head back to the hotel. I don’t know where to settle my thoughts. I’m so overwhelmed.
“Are you all right?” Princeton murmurs against my temple.
I turn to face him as we ride in the back of the car. I wanted to go to the office of Beauty for Ashes, but Princeton said we have time for that tomorrow.
I agreed as I looked at the time. We spent quite a bit of time in Beasley’s office. I can’t wait to see this Château I’ve inherited. He made it sound so enchanted. Although I got the feeling there was something he was avoiding.
“Yes, I’m fine. It’s a lot to process all at once. A whole lot to think about,” I reply.
“It will be good for you to get this all sorted out so you can move on with your life.”
I give a short laugh. “Move on with my life. I can move to London or Milan and run my company myself. I have so many options. Do you know, I’ve never been to the London or Milan offices. My father never stayed put. We traveled to the clients to plan their parties.”
“It’s how he met my stepmother. She was one of my nannies. A few years later, Bianca crossed our path again and out of the blue, my father announced they were getting married,” I say and frown.
“You weren’t too fond of that idea?”
“Hell no. My father was trying to outrun his memories of my mother. All the traveling… I think he felt guilty. He wanted me to have a mother figure, but I didn’t need her.