Page 48 of The Christmas Nanny

“My attorneys will be in touch,” Quartermain said.

“Don’t bother. We’ve already been in touch with them,” Edmund said. “They understand the situation and understand there’s nothing they can do.” He smiled widely. “Besides, you have no money to pay them with. All your accounts have been frozen.”

“Why are you doing this?” Quartermain asked, his voice cracking. He knew it was all real.

“Because I’ve watched your whorish behavior long enough. Your employees are ready to leave, and you are a deplorable human being.”

“I’ll get it all back when you die,” Quartermain said.

“I’m afraid that won’t happen either, Charles.” He turned his attention to the open dining room doors. “Please come in, my dear.”

The woman I’d seen talking to Arthur in the foyer entered the dining room.

“Lauren?” Jacob said.

“Jacob?” Lauren said.

“Lauren,” Quartermain said.

Chapter sixteen

Jacob

I couldn’t move. I could only stare. How the hell did everyone know everyone else? Lauren and I stared at each other in disbelief.

“She’s your granddaughter?” I asked Arthur. “She’s the one you were telling me about?”

“Yes,” Arthur said. “Before everyone starts to hug and sing a happy song, I will explain what’s happening now and in the future. Interrupt, and these two gentlemen will escort you out.” The two large men who had stopped me from leaving earlier entered the room. “First and foremost, all assets under the Quartermain name have been moved into a trust I will manage. Everything. Every last dollar.”

“This is bullshit,” Quartermain said. “I managed this company for years. That’s my money; those were my women in the guest house.”

“Neither of which belongs to you anymore,” Arthur said. He motioned the two men to stand by Quartermain. “I’ll give you a pass on that outburst, Charlie. Next time, these two men who no longer work for you will drop your ass on the front steps.”

“You were snooping around in our business,” Stephanie argued. “You should be ashamed of yourself.” She turned to Quartermain. “You told me this money was rock solid, and there was no way anyone could take it.”

Arthur waved two more men into the dining room. “Take her upstairs. Have her pack everything that belongs to her, then drop her at a hotel.”

“You can’t do that!” Stephanie slammed her hand on the table, and the two men lifted her from the chair. Nobody said a word as the men carried her out of the room like a sack of potatoes. Quartermain looked pleased with the action.

“Next,” Arthur began again. “Charlie, you will vacate the premises by the end of the day tomorrow. I have set up a trust fund for you, and beginning the first of the year, you will receive eight thousand dollars a month. That’s enough to live comfortably. If that's not enough to support your sexual escapades, the 7-11 down the street is hiring.”

The vein in the middle of Quartermain’s head pulsed furiously, and I thought he might have a coronary. His jaws clenched, and his fists white-knuckled.

Arthur motioned Lauren closer, and he put his arm around her. “Beginning tomorrow, Lauren will take over as CEO of Quartermain Holdings. She will run the business because I have every confidence in her ability to do so.”

Quartermain stood. Christine tried to hold his hand, but he knocked her hand away. They were done as fast as they got started—a train that never quite made it out of the station. I felt bad for Christine but Quartermain could go to hell.

“Samantha,” Arthur said. “I’m going to give you the benefit of the doubt. You’ve been taken advantage of.” He nodded at Edmund. “Edmund has a substantial parting gift for you. I apologize that my grandson took advantage of you.”

“Wait,” Christine said. “You aren’t Charles' daughter?”

“Nope. He was paying me to pretend just like he was paying everyone else.”

“Did you know?” Christine asked me.

I nodded. “Arthur told me yesterday. I tried to tell you in the kitchen this morning, but we were interrupted. I’m sorry.”

“You’re sorry?” Christine stood and started to walk out with Samantha.

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