Page 107 of Secrets, Lies and Love

“What I have to tell you is about your fiancée. Her stepsister gave an interview saying a bunch of shit, including that Cecily came to New York looking for a rich husband.”

“What?”

“She gave details of conversations between the two of them. She’s probably jealous and angry after what happened during the benefit. She was arrested for assaulting Cecily, which couldn’t have been good for business,” he says sardonically.

Call girls cannot attract attention. Especially the luxury ones, like Peyton. The men who pay to go out with them require, above all, discretion.

“I’m going home. Cecily must not have thought it important, or she would have called me. There is no missed call from her.”

“You’ve changed.”

“Why do you say that?”

“Just a short while ago, you would have been suspicious of your fiancée.”

“I trust Cecily. Peyton is a vile human being. She doesn’t deserve any credence. But she will pay this time.”

“What do you intend to do?”

“Repay evil for evil. The one who forgives is God. I settle accounts. Do me a favor: call our lawyers and ask them to take action. I want any news items about Cecily to be hushed up.”

“Already did that. Odin is also investigating further, and we know that when he’s done, no stone will be left unturned.”

After I say goodbye to my brother, I think about calling Cecily, but I decide to go home and talk to her in person. She must be upset.

I left Anderson at her disposal, so I decide to text the bodyguards to give me a ride home. I arrange for them to pick me up in front of the bank.

As soon as I get to the ground floor, I walk to the main door, but before I reach it, one of the security guards stops me.

“Mr. Dionysus, can I speak to you?”

I try to remember his name, but I can’t. I look at the badge.

Allen.

“Good morning, Allen. Actually, I’m in a hurry. Is it quick?”

“Yes, it is, and it is also of interest to you.” He looks around, looking awkward, as if he’s afraid someone will hear us.

Irritated but keeping my expression neutral, I gesture my head towards a corner of the lobby, where there are no people. “I cannot take long. I have an urgent appointment.”

“It’s about your fiancée.”

“What?”

“I swear to all that is holy that I’m not trying to gossip, but after the report earlier today...”

I feel my irritation rising. Loyalty to Cecily makes me come to her defense. “Be careful what you say. It may cost you your job.”

“I’ve been working here for twenty years, sir. Even when your grandfather and father were still alive. I am a loyal employee, not a gossip, and I will do what my conscience tells me. I saw, as I think the whole world did, the announcement of your engagement to Miss Bradley, and although she looked more dressed up in the newspaper photos, I recognized her immediately.”

“You recognized her?”

He nods. “I thought it was strange because I never saw her here at the bank, so how could you be engaged? Then I understood that she must come with Anderson, going straight into the garage and then on the private elevator.”

“What the hell are you talking about?”

“The romantic story of how you met that the newspaper published, about her being run over, is perhaps notsucha coincidence. That afternoon, before the accident, Miss Bradley tried to enter the bank. She came here lookingspecificallyfor you.”

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