“Six weeks ago.”
“And when did she ask for money?”
His head snapped back toward her.
“That is none of your business.”
“Four point eight million dollars became my business when the account you used touched Pierce Global.”
The color left his face.
He took one step toward the folder.
“What have you done?”
Madison almost laughed at the wording.
Not What have I done?
What have you done?
As if her discovering the fire were more offensive than him lighting it.
“The audit committee has the transfers.”
“You gave them private financial records?”
“I gave them company records.”
Nathaniel’s voice dropped.
“Call them back.”
“No.”
“Madison.”
“No.”
He placed both hands on her desk.
“This could trigger an investigation.”
“Yes.”
“It could freeze the Aspen closing.”
“Yes.”
“You have any idea what that does to us?”
Madison looked at him.
“There is no us in an executive transfer to your pregnant mistress.”
His face twisted.
“You think she’s my mistress because of one photograph?”
Madison picked up her phone.
She showed him the recording from the red light.
Nathaniel stepping away from the Aston Martin.
Veronica pulling him close.
His mouth near hers.
His hand later on her back.
Nathaniel watched silently.
Then Madison showed him the Aspen photograph.
Then the hotel invoices.
Then the encrypted calendar screenshots.
By the final image, he was no longer denying the affair.
He changed tactics.
“You don’t understand what happened.”
“Then explain.”
Nathaniel began pacing.
“She said she was pregnant.
She said it was mine.
She said she wouldn’t go public if I gave her security.”
Madison remained still.
“Security?”
“A home.
Money.
Something for the child.”
“And you believed her.”
Nathaniel glared at her.
“What was I supposed to believe?”
