Page 62 of An Eye For Illusion

“So, we’re blowing up our reputation as the biggest, most profitable and successful acquisition company on the west coast to become Foster Trucking? Is that what you two are telling me?”

I’ve completely lost any control I had. This cannot be real.

“No, just calm down.” Dad stands again, trying to help Elliott explain this shit show.

Elliott rakes his hand through his hair, seeing I’m going to be a much harder sell than my father was. I can’t believe Dad is even considering this.

“Elliott wants to expand Foster into investing as well as acquisition. He would head up the investing side; finding start-ups to invest in. This transport company would just be the first of many. We’d start as a silent investor, and as the company grows and becomes successful, we’ll become an equal partner in the business.” Dad is always so sure of himself.

“And if it isn’t a success?” I ask, unwilling to back down.

“We pull out. That’s why we start as a silent investor and not an equal partner,” Elliott adds. I guess he found his balls instead of letting my dad sell this deal to me.

This isn’t working. Dad is still all in.

“What do we know about the business?” I need to change tactics. I need to find something wrong with the numbers or the owner or something because, if Elliott has anything to do with it, this company is not on the up and up.

Elliott pulls some papers from his briefcase, laying them out one by one on my father’s desk. “He met with me late last night to bring me these documents. He’s very interested in working with us and eventually partnering. Here are the numbers from the last few months of operations,” he says confidentially.

They met late last night. Alarm bells go off in my mind. That’s who Elliott met last night! The stop wasn’t on his schedule, so I know it’s not related to the company he works for.

I squeeze my eyes closed, trying to pull the image of the man Elliott met with from my mind. Unfortunately, it’s no use. I’m too stressed for my mind to work.

“It looks like he’s doing well enough on his own.” I scan the documents for the owner’s name. “Why exactly does Vincent Maggio need an investor?”

I say the name over and over again in my mind. I’ll call Colin as soon as we finish here and give him that name. That has to be the man from last night.

“He wants to expand the business. He wants more trucks on the road and more drivers for the trucks. He wants to have products delivered to every state, maybe even Mexico and Canada eventually. Foster Global invests the money for those things and reaps the rewards.”

Elliott slides his hands into his pockets and rocks back on his heels. I really don’t like the smug bastard standing in front of me.

My heart pounds in my ears. This is the break I need to put an end to this sham of an engagement and get Elliott out of our lives for good. But I need to get all these fucking dots to connect. I need to talk to Colin now.

“Jade, you’re pale. Are you okay?” Dad is at my side in an instant. His voice is filled with familiar concern.

I place my hand over my pounding heart, willing it to calm. “Yes, I’m fine. I think I’m just a little tired,” I lie. I’m having a full-on panic attack.

“Maybe we should finish this another time then.” Dad’s words are music to my ears.

“Well, if we all agree to move forward, I can take it from here with Vinn…Mr. Maggio.”

Elliott wants to push this deal through here and now. That only drives my suspicion about whatever the hell this is even more. His lack of concern for me doesn’t go unnoticed either. And by the look on Dad’s face, he notices too.

“Another time, Elliott,” Dad says sternly before turning his attention back to me.

“Should I call for a medic, sweetheart? Are you sure you’re okay?” Dad’s eyes are locked on mine.

“No, that’s not necessary. I’ll go to my office and rest for a bit,” I say, hoping it’ll be enough to get me out of here so I can call Colin.

Elliott collects the papers from dad’s desk and shoves them hastily back into his briefcase. “I’ll go back down with you and make sure you’re alright.” He stands, waiting for me to rise from the chair and go with him.

Dad holds my hands to ensure I’m steady as I stand. He gives me a gentle squeeze before Elliott and I walk out of his office toward the elevator.

I make it a point to not break the silence between us, not on the walk to the elevator or the ride down to my floor.

When the door opens, I step out onto my floor. Elliott moves to walk with me, but I stop him.

“I have a busy day,” I say as I turn back to face him, hoping he doesn’t want to come to my office.

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