Page 17 of Mr. Billionaire's Second Chance

Chapter Five

Katherine

I mulled over the files on my coffee table, desperately searching for a connection, but I didn’t have all of the pieces yet. I tucked my hair behind my ears, yawning as I reached for my second cup of coffee for the day. I took a deep breath, feeling my heartbeat quicken at the thought that I was finally onto something, but I worried about what that would mean for Preston.

Mr. Wolfe along with just about everyone else thinks that there is no question that you’re hiding something. Am I wrong to give you the benefit of the doubt?I clutched my robe, glancing down at my phone screen to see I needed to be in the shower and out the door in less than a half-hour. I rushed to get ready and when I came out, Poppy was filling her to-go cup with the rest of the black coffee from the machine.

“You didn’t get any sleep last night, did you?”

“I can’t remember the last time I did, Pops.”

“You know what you need?”

“What’s that?” I asked. I fastened my earrings on, running my fingers through my light brown hair, waiting to see what Poppy could possibly come up with. If she’s going to tell me I need to get laid, I’m walking right out that door. I thought, smiling.

“You need a night out on the town. Do you remember how much fun we used to have when we didn’t spend every moment of every day wrapped up in our jobs?”

“I don’t know, Poppy. I mean I’m so busy with this audit, you’re so busy with work, and I’m perfectly fine with winding down with a bottle of wine every so often,” I said.

She folded her arms across her chest, shaking her head at me. I smiled, knowing that look real well. I saw the familiar glint in her eyes that told me she already had a plan up her sleeve.

“This audit is driving you crazy, right? My case is too. So, we’re going to get all dressed up and head to the club tonight. That’s how you blow off steam the right way,” she said, winking at me.

“I don’t know…”

“Cute. You think you have a choice in the matter. Be back home by seven so we can get ready!” she shouted, rushing out the door before I could argue. I laughed, gathering my things, heading right out too. She’s right. I’ve been so caught up with Preston and Kingsman Enterprises, I barely have time to think. Maybe I do need this more than I thought I did.

I arrived at the hotel lobby where I was approached by a woman who had been frantically looking around, clutching a clipboard in her hand.

“Ms. Hollis?”

“Yes, that’s me,” I said, smiling.

“Mr. Wolfe is in the Library Bar this morning. Please follow me,” she responded. It was at that moment I realized she didn’t work here, but she’d replaced Mr. Wolfe’s last assistant. No wonder she seems so on edge. I thought, listening to the clacking of her heels on the marble floors as she led me straight to William’s table.

“Thank you, Tiffany,” he said.

“It’s my pleasure, sir.”

“Good morning, Mr. Wolfe,” I said, taking a seat.

“It’s good to see you again, Katherine. I hope that you’ve been managing to get through the Laurier account. I know it’s quite a messy set of information, but I’m afraid that’s all thanks to my brother.” He ripped the top off a sugar packet, stirring the contents into his black coffee.

“There are a few things that don’t seem to add up, but I’m sure I’ll be able to follow the trail once I learn more about how the deal occurred. There is some questionable activity in the accounts, but maybe if I could talk to Mr. Clarke’s old business manager, I’ll be able to figure out what happened,” I said, and his eyes widened.

“Why, yes. That’s a great idea. I’m not sure why I didn’t think of that before. I’ll get you in touch with Pierson. You know what? I’ve been thinking that it’s time to get this investigation moving in the right direction. You’ve probably been running around in circles trying to get all of the necessary information, and I think I can make that a bit easier for you.”

“Oh really? How?”

“I think it’s time I gave you full access to the Kingsman Enterprise documents so you don’t have to go through another middle man,” he said.

“Are you sure that Preston would be okay with that?” I asked, biting my lip when I realized what I’d said.

“Well, his opinion doesn’t really matter here, now does it? I’m just as much in charge of Kingsman Enterprises as he is, Katherine. I’ve come to like you, and I know that you’re doing everything you can to complete this investigation. So, let me make it easier for you and we can all get back to our lives soon enough, huh?”

He really thinks that this is somehow all Preston’s fault. Maybe it is. Preston was the closest to his father before he passed and I wouldn’t be surprised if he’d been keeping some financial secrets under wraps. Though I still have a feeling something just isn’t right here.

“Thank you, Mr. Wolfe.”

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