Page 170 of Lovers Like Us
It’s more serious thanthat.
My family—the Hales, Meadows, and Cobalts—they all give a large portion of their amassed wealth to the philanthropy. Whoever is CEO has the greatestcontrol.
Without me at the helm, I don’t know who the fuck is handlingbillionsofdollars.
“Regardless of why,” Victoria says, “you’ve still been absent. And in your stead, Ernest has brought intelligent points to thephilanthropy.”
My blood boils. “Ernest Mangold?” I drill a glare into my phone. As if I can reach this conniving prick. Honestly…I’m fucking whiplashed. I can’t make sense of thisreality.
Ernest is pretty new. He came into the company only last year, and he’s been relativelyquiet.
So what the fuckchanged?
“Yes,” Victoria says, voice wooden. “The board feels as though Ernest Mangold is better suited to run H.M.C.Philanthropies.”
This can’t be real. “Victoria, if something’s wrong, if the board is in trouble and people have been coerced or blackmailed, I canhelp—”
“No,” she interjects. “We’ve been discussing this formonths.”
I blink, the shock like a hard slap. “You’ve been thinking about this for months? And no one thought it’d be a good idea to tell me?” A thought punches mecold.
I zero in on Jane. Her brother, Charlie—he’sonthis backstabbing board, and that means he’s known for months that they planned to kick me out. While ontour.
And he saidnothing.
Jane shakes her head vigorously. “Moffy,” she whispers, “Charlie couldn’t have known.” But he’s opposed me too often to be soassured.
I have no time to whisperback.
Victoria replies, “With the time differences and your spontaneous tour schedule, it was difficult keeping in touch. You’ve beengone.”
If she says that again, I’m going to pop off like a 400-Fahrenheit firework. “I created this charity,” I say firmly. “I have a good relationship with the board. Why would you even consider pushing meout?”
It makes no fuckingsense.
Victoria clears her throat. Like she doesn’t have a pre-written statement for that question. “I don’t feel comfortable talking to you alone about this. We’ll set up a meeting tomorrow and have the board talk over conferencecall.”
“No,” I say, not hesitating. “I’m flyingin.”
Farrow straightens up in surprise. But when our gazes lock, he nods confidently. He’s with me, supporting me. If the board keeps harping on me being gone, then I need to be there. Inperson.
To fixthis.
“That’s unnecessary,” shestates.
“No,” I retort. “What’s unnecessary is the board voting me out behind my back. You will all show up, sit around the table, and look me in the fucking eye when you tell me you’re taking this company from me.” In one breath, I finish, “I’ll be there tomorrow. You’ll know when Iarrive.”
I hangup.
And I storm out. Only looking for one person. I fling open the curtain to his bunk. “Charlie.”
He squints at the light and then glares at my scowl. “What?”
I open my mouth, about to say,how long have you known the board would vote me out?But I freeze, my vocal cords iced and immobile. My brain is telling meno, don’t go there. You’re wrong,Maximoff.
He’s my cousin. He’s family. He wouldn’t hurt me. Then I remember my parents and the rumor—how badly that hurt. But I also remember what my dad said. To protect each other, we sometimes react out of fear andlove.
For Charlie to not tell me, it’d just be out ofcruelty.
