Page 32 of Mr. Billionaire's Second Chance

I quickly texted her back as Leighton leaned over my shoulder, staring right into my phone screen.

“Do you mind?”

“Texting your girlfriend, I see. Does she know that you’re here with me?”

I stayed silent, watching Leighton’s eyes light up with opportunity, and I shook my head.

“You already blabbed to the press about us getting back together. Now, I need you to stay quiet. If you want me to pay attention to you, that’s what you’re going to have to do,” I spat.

“I did that so they’d have something else to talk about besides your fraud investigation, but fine. I’ll back off,” she responded, with a sly smile.

The car pulled up outside William’s grand house, and it was the first time in a while that I got a good look at it. The pillars cascaded down to the white stone steps leading up to the massive front door, the shrubbery enveloped the entire lawn, and the cobblestone path bordering the entryway only made me think of my father. Now this is why I choose to live in the city.

Leighton looped her arm through mine and we walked up the stairs, ringing the doorbell. The door slowly opened to reveal William standing there with a full glass of hard liquor in his hand, ushering us inside. He wore his grey Armani for the occasion, and if I remembered correctly, it was the suit he always wore when he was about to close a deal.

“It’s nice to see you again, William,” said Leighton, giving him air kisses.

“Well, don’t you look stunning.”

“Why thank you.”

Leighton had the biggest grin on her face, and it was strange to see because when we were together, she hated being dragged out to these things. She always believed that they were somehow beneath her, and that only made things harder for us. That was also before I found out what a real psychotic bitch she can be. I thought, fixing my tie before William patted me on the shoulder, leading me towards the dining room to meet everyone else.

“I need you to stay calm, Preston. The last thing any of us want is a slip-up that will make fixing this mess anymore difficult,” he said.

“Don’t tell that to me, tell that to her.”

Leighton only rolled her eyes.

“I’m serious, Preston.”

I nodded my head, putting on a vibrant smile before I met with the board members, and the dinner finally began. We were all sitting at William’s large dining table, a few courses in, and I managed to hold a good conversation with every member there. I was finally starting to loosen up when the waiter brought out another bottle of wine, and I turned to look over at Leighton who seemed to be doing a good job of keeping everyone occupied as well. At least you’re holding up your end of the bargain.

“So, Preston, it’s nice that you and William both decided to have us for dinner tonight, but we must discuss what’s happening to the company. The board is rather worried about what might be the outcome here.”

“I assure you, Bart, that the investigation is coming to a close very soon. Despite what you might be reading in the press, you don’t have anything to worry about,” I said.

“That’s great to hear, Preston, but it doesn’t change our decision. I know your father believed in you, gave you control of the company because he was sure you could keep it out of harm’s way, but until this investigation is over, we need to make some changes.”

“What kind of changes?” I asked. It took every ounce of my self-control not to slam my fork right through the ceramic plate in front of me.

“We’ve decided to give William more control of things for the time being. Now, I know that may seem upsetting, but I should remind you that no time in the past has there been this much public outrage about this,” he said.

“I am the major stockhold-”

“And we are the board that oversees management of the company. Owning the company is not the same as running it, and you know that perfectly well. As an owner, you can disband the board, but do you think that this is the right time for this?”

“Bart, surely there has to be some other way we could do this,” said William.

I was comforted by the fact that he didn’t seem excited about this. It made me feel good to know that I had someone in my corner.

“This is what’s best for the company right now. Once everything settles, things will go back to normal.”

Dinner concluded and William led us all into his library for more drinks. I had a hard time keeping up with conversation after what I’d just heard, knowing that at any moment, the rug could be pulled out from under me. I felt a soft hand rest on my shoulder and when I turned around, I saw Leighton standing there sympathetically.

“Now, that was the last thing I expected to happen, Preston. I’m so sorry.”

It was the first time in a while that she’d sounded so sincere, but I appreciated it because I didn’t have any energy left in me to bicker.

“Thank you, Leighton. Thank you for coming too,” I said, even though the words physically hurt as they left my lips.

“The pleasure is all mine. Let me see what I can do about ol’ Bart over there. Maybe he just needs someone to convince him that taking away your rights isn’t the answer here. Hold my drink.”

I raised my eyebrow at her, now with two glasses in my hand, watching as she strutted over to Bart. He seemed pleased to see her. I watched his eyes travel down her body, and how he got a little too close to her, but she didn’t seem to mind. I caught her looking back at me with a smile, and I raised a glass in her direction.

If there’s anyone that can convince that man to get off his high horse and let me handle things, it’s you.I thought, sipping on the thick, dark liquid in my glass, wishing I could just leave. My mind drifted off to Katherine and I wondered what she’d been doing. I found myself missing her more than I wanted to admit, and I was practically walking myself right into a trap here.

If she ever finds out that I’ve been spending time with Leighton, I don’t think that she’s ever going to forgive me. I changed her mind about me once, but something tells me it’s going to be nearly impossible to do a second time. What the hell am I going to do now?

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