Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 70185 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 351(@200wpm)___ 281(@250wpm)___ 234(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 70185 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 351(@200wpm)___ 281(@250wpm)___ 234(@300wpm)
“You’ve only got one-half of that right. This is revenge, but it has nothing to do with her. It was all me, and you know why. I was willing to let you slide since you were a kid when that beast you call a mother destroyed my mother’s life, but the fact that you hurt my woman is why we’re here today.”
“And none of that negates the fact that you are a thief.” She finally looked at Justine when she said this.
“I knew you had it out for me all along. And the only reason you married him was to get back at me. You claim to hate my mother, but how is she any better than my mom?”
“Don’t answer that, hon, it doesn’t deserve a response. We’re not discussing our personal lives with strangers. Melanie, you can think what you like; I have nothing to say about your affair with the criminal who was my ex. We’re here about you and your criminal activities.”
“What criminal activities?”
“Oh, come on, I thought you were smarter than that; it’s right there in front of you. The trip to Bali, for starters. We don’t have any business there, so why was it written off as a corporate expense? And all the others, going back since you started working for the company.”
“Dad said it was okay.”
“Oh really, where is his authorization?”
“He said it.”
“Fine.” I picked up the phone, dialed his number, and watched her lose what little color was left in her face.
She didn’t know that the old man and I had been talking, why would she? She was there all those years ago when I swore never to speak to him again and had kept my word for fifteen years.
I’d been working on this part for a while, and the only reason I went ahead with it was because it suited my purpose for the bigger picture. So even though it burned a hole in my gut each time I spoke to him in the last few weeks, I knew I had to do it to bring this whole mess to an end.
I could’ve used the kids’ births to bridge the gap, but I didn’t want my children stained by this. So, I had to play the game until he fell into my trap; this was just the beginning.
“Dad, I have a question. The company is being audited and we came across some expenses on Melanie’s account going back years. She claims you authorized them, but there is no signature showing this is so. Do you know anything about it?”
“If it was something for the company, I might've, but it wouldn’t be anything you’d get audited over.”
“So, the trip to Bali, the weekend trips to Cabo, those were not authorized by you?”
“What are you talking about? When was she in Bali?”
“That’s all for now. Thanks. I’ll see you soon.” I turned off the phone and looked at her.
“So, I guess that didn’t work.”
“What’re you going to do to me?” I looked at Justine, who was only too happy to give her the good news.
“You’re fired, effective immediately, and you should find yourself a lawyer.”
“You’re suing me?”
“What did you expect? Should we have invited you to tea? You committed a crime, many in fact. So you see, I don’t need to use the fact that you’re a homewrecking slut to bring you down.”
“Uncle Markie, are you all set?”
“I am, yes, I didn’t expect your call.”
“I just wanted to remind you to play the music I sent you for the party.”
“I will, though you still haven’t told me why this is so important.”
“You’ll see. No kids at the party, right?”
“No, it’s a cocktail party; I don’t think that it’s suitable.”
“Cool, I guess I’ll see you when I see you.” I shook my head after she hung up. She’s a persistent little thing. I’ve listened to the music she’s talking about, and though it fits the occasion, I don’t see why she’s made such a big deal out of it. But, since she’d done me a great service, I guess I can give her this.
I went looking for my wife, who was in her private dressing room getting ready for the night and opened the wrong door. “Oh shit!” I closed the door back as fast as I’d opened it, and it flung open as soon as I started walking away.
“You didn’t see shit.”
“No, I did not, but if I did see anything, I would need bleach to wash out my eyes. So, how long has this been going on, and can I tell Gramps that he won that battle?”
“You do, and I’ll skin you alive. It’s not what you think.”
“Oh? I didn’t just see you climbing all over Carl half-dressed at that?”
“You…. He asked Damien for my hand, that simp.”
“Uh-huh, and he said yes, I take it.” Carl came out of the room fixing his cuffs without a care in the world.