Chapter 10 - Fired
Michael denied it for almost five minutes.
Then his shoulders dropped.
“Fine.”
My mother stared at him.
“You lost your job?”
He ignored her.
I asked, “Why?”
“Company politics.”
Tom snorted.
“Try again.”
Michael glared at him.
Tom held up a printout.
“Misuse of company funds. Undisclosed conflict of interest. Inappropriate relationship with a subordinate.”
Rachel looked at Michael.
“Vanessa?”
He said nothing.
I almost admired the scale of the disaster.
My husband hadn't just betrayed me.
He had betrayed everyone in reach.
“What company funds?” I asked.
Michael rubbed his face.
“Client entertainment.”
“For the condo?”
“No.”
“For Rachel?”
“No.”
“For Vanessa?”
Silence.
Tom leaned back.
“There it is.”
Rachel looked like she might be sick.
“You told me Vanessa meant nothing.”
Michael exploded.
“You don't get to act betrayed.”
She recoiled.
“You pursued me for years,” he continued. “You flirted with me in front of Sarah and Tom because you liked getting attention.”
Rachel's eyes filled.
“And you loved it.”
“Yes,” Michael snapped. “I did.”
The honesty stunned the room.
He looked at me.
“I liked being wanted.”
I felt strangely calm.
“Then you should have wanted a divorce before you wanted three women.”
His face twisted.
He grabbed his keys.
“I'm done with this circus.”
As he reached the door, Tom said, “One more thing.”
Michael stopped.
Tom smiled without warmth.
“I froze Morrow Holdings this morning.”
Michael turned.
“You can't do that.”
“I can when my money helped fund it.”
Michael stepped toward him.
Tom didn't move.
“And the police have the forged loan documents.”
Michael's face went gray.
Then someone knocked on the front door.
Three hard knocks.
May you like
A man's voice called out.
“Michael Andrews? We need to speak with you.”
