Page 28 of The Mogul: Leonard

“You can’t go down that fast. You’ll have time to support the transition.”

“Are you sure about that?”

She doesn’t answer, and this is enough for me to go a step further. I pick up a second contract and push it across the table at her.

“What’s this?” She picks it up and scrolls through the pages.

“If you assist me in uncovering the whereabouts of the funds, I am prepared to provide you with the financial backing and resources necessary to establish your own business. I’ll guide you in navigating the legal boundaries of your actions, but how you help others will be entirely up to you. I won’t interfere in any of your decisions unless you want my advice.”

She gapes at my proposal. For the first time since I’ve known her, I’ve surprised her in a positive way. I don’t know how to feel about that. Am I so terrifying that people expect the worst from me?

“Why are you doing this?” She frowns.

Does she want me to spell it out? “Isn’t it obvious? I’m desperate to save my company, and you’re the only person who can help me do it.”

She shakes her head. “I mean, why are you doing this?” She waves the contract in her hand. “Why a company? You could have covered me in money.”

I inhale deeply. I didn’t want to expose myself so much, but this conversation is turning more truthful than I anticipated, and I can’t lose her trust now.

“Because I did my homework. Like you said, you could be rich. You have skills that go way beyond common knowledge, but instead of using them for profit, you still live in a shitty apartment with those kids.” I can see the shame cross her eyes when I mention it. “If you wanted an easy way out, you could have had it years ago, but you want to help people. I’m offering you the opportunity to do it like never before.”

A long silence follows my speech as she studies me. She is interested in my proposal. I know I went in the right direction because I learned a long time ago to read people. The only doubt comes from her hatred toward me. I don’t know how deep it is, and I can’t foresee if she will throw the opportunity away because she doesn’t want anything to do with me. That is a real possibility.

“And you won’t have a say in it?” she finally asks.

“No. Not even a share of the company. I’ll give you the money, and that’s it. No need to give it back,” I assure her.

“You’re really desperate, aren’t you?” She sighs.

There is no need to answer her question; it’s more than clear that I wouldn’t have asked for her help if I had another way to solve it.

“Fine. Give me that fancy pen.” She finally accepts, and I feel a burden lifting from my chest.

“You can take your time reading the contract,” I point out.

She arches a brow, pinning me to the chair with her stern gaze. “Are you trying to screw me over?”

“Have you heard a single word of what I’ve said?”

“So, there’s no need to read the contract.” She smiles smugly, lowering her gaze over the paper and signing it.

I watch the pen rolling over the paper in a smooth motion, and I wonder how we will manage not to rip each other apart while working together.

10

Roxanne

“Are you sure you don’t want me to call movers to help?” I ask for the umpteenth time this morning.

Silver, Raphael, and her bodyguard, Sven, showed up this morning at my door to help me move into my new apartment, the one I dreamed of renting when I walked by it with Candy.

After I cashed Leonard’s check, I decided to splurge for a new living situation. I can’t imagine working in my bedroom anymore, with a bunch of what Leonard called kids playing video games in another room.

I’m excited about the opportunity to have my own company, and I need to start thinking and living like a grown-up. Moving out of that house was the best decision I have ever made and the first step in that direction.

“Why pay for movers if you have two men helping you out?” Raphael’s strained voice comes from behind a big box he carries up the stairs.

“Because it seems like you’re dying?” It sounds like a question, but it’s more of a statement.

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