Page 139 of Perfume Girl
“Please escort Ms. Wren from the building, Taylor.” Penelope’s expression was triumphant.
I stood my ground. “I know you had something to do with stealing my formula.”
She looked defiant. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“I found this,” I said, raising my ledger, “in your office.”
Her gaze narrowed. “Sounds like you planted evidence to cover your tracks.”
I clenched my jaw as a dull ache of realization hit me—I’d never be able to prove I was the victim.
“Show us evidence that the perfume came from you.”
I raised my ledger. “I’m going to show it to Astor.”
Penelope sneered. “It’s Mr. Beauregard to you. My brother fired you. Get out.”
Taylor shot me a worried look. “What did she do?”
“Corporate espionage. Ms. Wren stole a formula.”
“I didn’t.” I spun to face Taylor. “Please, tell Astor I’m here.”
Taylor took my arm and whispered, “Walk with me.”
I let her guide me away and down the stairs. I didn’t want a scene that would make me look like a disgruntled ex-employee. I wanted to stay calm and keep my dignity.
When we made it outside, I eased my arm out of Taylor’s grip and walked toward my car. “I’m fine.”
“No, you’re not.” Taylor glanced back up at the building.
I suspected she was looking to see if Penelope was watching from the upper floor window.
“What’s going on? I don’t understand.” Taylor sounded hurt. “Tell me you’re not a corporate spy.”
“You don’t really believe that, do you?”
“I don’t know what to believe.”
“Well, I’m not. My formula ended up here.” I’d wanted answers, but wasn’t going to tell her that was why I had accepted the job.
This was my problem to solve and I wasn’t in the mood to try to convince her. I hated that our blossoming friendship was tainted with suspicion.
“But you work here,” she said. “It’s in your contract that anything you create—”
“Before,” I told her. “It was stolen before I came here. I found this in Penelope’s office.”
“I let you in her office. I trusted you.”
I chose to ignore that. “I know the new fragrance they’re about to roll out is mine.”
“Can you prove it?”
“I’m trying.”
“You hurt him, you know,” she said softly. “Astor really liked you.”
“That upsets me more than anything.”
