Page 71 of Mayfair Madame
“How is Ellie now?” Melinda put down her tablet and took my hand.
“You saw what she was like when you arrived. She’s tired, still weak, but better than she was a few days ago.”
“I wanted to say I was sorry for how we left things the other day. I’ll admit I was jealous of her.”
“Why? Why would you be jealous? We’re best friends, and no one will come between us. It doesn’t matter if I’ve met someone. You’ll always be an important person in my life.”
“I know, and I should have realised that. Can you ever forgive me?”
“Of course I can. That’s what friends do. I’ve been worried about her. Still am, if I’m honest. She should be in bed resting, but then family comes first.”
“Talking of family. Rupert called earlier while you were at the station. I told him you’d call him back.”
“Did he say what it was about?” The last time we’d talked, he’d discussed plans for bringing down Clement and Godfrey’s downfall. I wasn’t normally a vindictive person, but what Godfrey had done was unforgivable. If he wasn’t stopped, who knew how far he’d go next time? And there would be a next time.
“He said you’d know. I’m hoping this is something to do with your assault. You said he was helping you out.”
“Yes, hopefully he has an update. I can’t wait until this is all over and I can relax a little. We might have both dropped the case against each other, but it’s still there, you know? Hanging over me like the proverbial dark cloud.”
I’d had enough bad luck in my life. It was time things changed, and now with Ellie, hopefully, things were looking up substantially.
“Well, if you want to call him now. I’ll get in touch with Marco and see if he’s free on Saturday.”
I seemed to be spending more time on the phone than anything else lately. That and being in bed, although that wasn’t a bad thing, especially when Ellie was with me.
“Rupert, I hope you have news for me,” I said when he answered the phone.
“I have excellent news, my dear.” My heart raced. Had he finally succeeded?
“As I told you before, after a bit of digging, I found out that both Godfrey and Winthrop were directors of a couple of financial companies. I say ‘were’ because I’ve persuaded the other shareholders to issue a special notice advising them of their intention to remove them as directors.”
“Wow. You said it wouldn’t be easy, but it seems like you got a result in record time.”
“When you’re as rich as I am, Naomi, nothing is impossible. People are greedy. Plus, I might have mentioned Godfrey’s penchant for assaulting vulnerable women. It just so happened he’d tried a similar thing with the wife of a shareholder. They were more than happy to cooperate.”
“So, what’s next? Surely, it won’t happen quickly?”
“Quicker than you think. They’d normally have twenty-eight days, but I think they both know they’re on the ropes. Rumours have a habit of spreading. I may or may not have had a hand in that as well.”
“Wow, so what does that mean for them? I mean, they both have money of their own. They won’t be destitute.”
“No, that’s true, but I also know that Godfrey is living beyond his means. Seems the ancestral home is up for sale, and his wife is divorcing him. No prenup when they got married. I’ve heard she’s a ruthless woman, and I don’t think she’ll go quietly.”
“This is more than I could have hoped for, Rupert.” I’d have been happy with them being hit financially, but for Godfrey, it seems his problems ran deeper.
“Godfrey’s divorce was in the works a long time before I got involved. One more thing, I’ve purchased shares in the largest company they co-owned. I’m more than happy to gift them to you as recompense for what they put you through.”
“Rupert, you didn’t need to do that.”
“I didn’t, no, but call it a birthday present.”
“I… I don’t know what to say.” Words failed me.
“Say thank you. That’s enough. As soon as everything has gone through the correct channels, I’ll put the shares in your name.”
“You’ve already helped me so much. How can I ever repay you?” I was beyond grateful for everything he’d done for me. My heart swelled, and tears of gratitude fell.
“No need, my dear. You’re the daughter I never had. I’m more than happy to do what I can to make your life easier. How’s mybuilding, by the way? I should pop over at some point. I hear Mayfair Heights is an up-and-coming area of Mayfair.”
