Page 160 of The Price of Scandal
“Mugged. Attempted mugging actually. A guy tried to grab my purse in the parking garage at work,” Cam said. “I speared his foot with my stiletto.”
“Oh my God,” I said. “You need better security.”
“I know a security guy,” Derek added.
“You’re missing the point,” Cam said, exasperated. “I was fine.”
“We’ll find you a hot security guy,” Daisy promised.
“I don’t want a security guy, hot or not,” Cam protested.
“Derek, is your friend hot?” Daisy asked, ignoring her.
He shrugged. “I hadn’t thought much about it, but yes. If I were into men, I’d shag him.”
Daisy slapped the table. “Problem solved. Hot security guy.”
Cam rolled her eyes. “Not happening, weirdos. I’ll handle this on my own.”
“Oh, because that always works out so well,” I said.
“I am sensing sarcasm,” Cam mused.
“There you are!”
Jenny, her suit rumpled and hair a mess of flyaways, pulled up a chair.
“Ooh! Update time,” Luna said, wiggling her fingers enthusiastically.
“Let me start at the top,” Jenny said, flinging open a binder on the table.
“Pour the woman a drink,” Derek suggested.
“I wouldn’t say no,” Jenny said. “First things first. Your patent isn’t complete, but it’s actionable enough. We can prove that the formula La Sophia is shopping belongs to Flawless and you have all of the data from the beginning. There’s no way they can replicate that in time for the subpoena I’ve arranged. They have forty-eight hours to produce all of their ‘research.’ Once they fail to do so, then we can move forward with legal action, and the SEC can get up their asses.”
She flipped the page with gusto.
“Next item. Did you know that the patent for your wrinkle reducer is in your name, not Flawless’s?” Jenny asked.
I bit my lip, and Derek laughed softly beside me.
“It might have occurred to me,” I admitted.
“In order for Flawless to continue to sell those products, they’ll have to buy the patent from you.”
“What a shame,” Derek said.
“I’d be open to an even trade,” I said. “I give them the wrinkle reducer if they give me the scar treatment.” Derek squeezed my leg in approval under the table.
“Consider it done,” Jenny said. “The SEC is not inclined to allow an IPO at this time. Not with an investigation into Lita pending. The earliest it could be approved is first quarter of next year.”
“Serves those ungrateful shits right,” Daisy said derisively.
“To ungrateful shits!” Luna said, raising her glass. Luna was a lovely lightweight.
“Speaking of investigations, Lita will face charges,” Jenny continued. “A butt-ton of them. In my professional opinion, if she went this far, there are other things we didn’t catch her on. But the SEC might.”
“Butt-ton!” Daisy cheered.
