The Next Wife by Kaira Rouda (speld decodable readers txt) 📕

even understand how Kate can own 70 percent of the company when I got John’s half? I’ll need to ask George. I need someone to help me.

“I should be in that photo session. I’m leading this company into the future. I’m co-president. Tell me where the shoot is.”

Sandra tilts her head. “I can’t do that. Why don’t you see Nancy, Kate’s assistant, to make an appointment?”

“I’ll get in whenever I want. I’m co-president.” Are people dense? Do I need to print copies of the will and show it to everyone? I don’t care what Kate says or what fancy math she’s trying to use, I own half.

Sandra speaks again. “Your title is not co-president. The new will didn’t stipulate a position. It just provided you with ownership. There really is no reason for you to be here. You don’t have a job. You resigned as an assistant, remember? But if you insist on coming in, that’s where you’ll be. Back in the closet. Understood?”

“Whatever.” I am so mad right now, I could punch her. Hard.

“Oh, and I’ve opened a file on you. An employee has charged you with harassment. We take those allegations seriously here at EventCo.”

“I’m not going to forget this.” I can’t help it. I’m pointing my finger at her. “Someone threatened me. What are you going to do about that? Nothing, right? I’ll go get the proof, and then you’d better do something. Investigate or else.”

“Are you trying to frighten me?” She takes a step back.

“I’m simply reminding you that I’m your boss. So, you should be more accommodating, do you understand? And when I’m being threatened, you should care.”

Sandra shakes her head. “So now you’re being threatened?”

“Someone left a note in my desk drawer.” I drop my voice. “Was it you? Did you leave that note in John’s desk?”

“You need to leave. Go back to Pineville, Terry Jane.” Sandra turns and before I know it, she’s closing her office door, stranding me in the hallway.

She just threw my past in my face and walked away from me. She doesn’t know what she’s stirring, the pot she’s messing with. This all may be her doing. She is the HR officer. She can rummage through anyone’s desk with impunity. But somehow, I don’t think she’s my only problem. All of these people are going to pay. No more nice Tish. I pull my phone out of my back pocket and call George as I walk back to my tiny closet of an office.

“I’m going to take them all down. I don’t care if I lose money, too. I want them all to suffer.”

George blows out a breath. “You need to calm down, honeybunch. Right now.”

That’s the last thing I need. One more person telling me what to do. “Just be sure you’ve covered everything. Make certain I’m secure in all of this. Make sure there is no crack in that will. Do you understand? Kate can’t win.” I hang up on George before I hear his reply. He’d better have my back.

I’ve changed my mind. Instead of running this place, I will ruin it.

CHAPTER 54

KATE

A photo shoot is the last thing I feel like doing, but at least it gets Ashlyn and me away from the menace masquerading as an employee and wrecking John’s office. Two can play the media game, Tish, but only one of us has done it before. And I’m good at it, despite being forced into this photo shoot long before I would have chosen to push my daughter into the media spotlight.

But it’s fine. If it’s good for EventCo, I’m in. We’ll prove to the investors that despite John’s death, we’re stronger than ever. The magazine also gets the exclusive about our new Forever product. I’m beyond excited to roll it out.

Once Sandra had escorted Tish to the back, I went into John’s office and tidied up, as much as I could. I found the note I’d left in the desk drawer crumpled up and tossed on the floor. I slipped it into my pocket. Maybe the note did it, or maybe it was the screen saver? Either way, her reaction made me smile.

What are a couple of little threats among friends?

I’m still surprised how well it worked.

It’s silly, but every once in a while, it feels good to be a step ahead of your enemy. From the looks of the office destruction, she got the message.

I am back in my office by the time Jennifer and Ashlyn appear outside of my door.

“Ready for the shoot?” Jennifer asks.

“Give me ten minutes,” I say. “Ashlyn, can we chat in private?”

My daughter needs to understand the importance of everything that has happened today. I will make sure she does.

CHAPTER 55

ASHLYN

As I look at my mom, really look at her, I realize how strong, how brave she has been. And how much her heart must have broken. I’m filled with a deep sympathy for her I’ve never felt. And I’m surprised at the new emotion inside me: I’m furious with my dad.

This is all my dad’s fault. Tish is his fault. If he hadn’t been unfaithful, my mom wouldn’t have suffered. She’s been so lonely since he left her. And then, he flaunted Tish in front of her people, her company.

And he took all of her friends, except Christine. They all sided with Dad over Mom. I hated coming home, finding her drunk, so sad, mourning for the man she spent her whole life with.

He just up and left. How could he do that? As for my mom, I’m not sure what all she’s done, but I know she’s done it all for me.

I think she has been in charge of EventCo from its founding. I think she just let my dad think he was for a time to get the IPO money in the door from the boys’ club of investment banking. My mom is in charge of everything. Tish just didn’t realize it.

Neither did I.