Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 97525 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 488(@200wpm)___ 390(@250wpm)___ 325(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 97525 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 488(@200wpm)___ 390(@250wpm)___ 325(@300wpm)
That would be the smart thing to do, and while I don't have many nice things to say about Jillian—she is an intelligent woman. Months of legal battles will only hurt the public image of BSX, throw Brant’s credibility into question, and destroy any chance of a family reunion between her and Brant. Plus, there was the evidence of his blood test results—a cocktail of illegal drugs administered under her watch. Add to that the misinformation about his medication over the last two decades … she should be arrested, along with his doctor. I feel adamantly on the point, but he is just as resistant to the idea.
He is, as he has frequently pointed out, a billionaire. CEO of one of the most powerful tech companies in America. Engaged to a gorgeous and brilliant woman (okay, I couldn't argue with that). His life, under her control and medication, had gone well, in his mind. And he believed that her heart was in the right place.
I don’t understand it. I don't understand justifying any of it but I’m keeping my mouth closed and trying to support him through a time when he is barely holding everything together.
I keep waiting for Lee to make an appearance, given the stress he is under, but I’ve only seen Brant. That's a good thing, of course.
I swipe through the screen on Brant’s car, softening the lumbar support and turning on the seat heater. The car bounces gently over a bumpy section of the highway as we head back from the office, my ring finger now heavy with the weight of my new acquisition. It’s beautiful, of course, glistening from my fourth digit and I finally feel worthy of it.
Brant dropped to one knee on the rug in his office, right beside the hidden safe, his smile infectious, his lack of patience so endearing as he hurriedly pulled the box from the slim interior and immediately opened the lid.
I felt odd, standing beside his printer in loose linen pants and sandals, my hair in a messy knot at the base of my neck, with no makeup on. He had paused and taken a deep breath, composing himself, before looking up into my eyes and asking for my hand in marriage.
Will you take my hand in marriage? He’d never asked it that way in the past—so formal, but I was glad that it was different, and had dropped to my knees in front of him, putting us at eye level together, and immediately said yes.
The office had been empty, the BSX facility closed pending the outcome of the hearing. After I’d said yes, we’d lain back on the carpet beside each other and I’d held my hand up and we’d both stared at it, giddy at the step we had just committed to.
I cup my hands in my lap and twist the band, not surprised that the ring fits perfectly on my finger. “I know you don’t want to press charges or speak to the police, but what are you going to do about Jillian’s role at BSX?"
Brant looked away from the road for a quick moment and met my eyes. His jaw tightens and his grip on the steering wheel works the leather as he flexes his hands.
"I don't know,” he says carefully. “I need to speak to the DID doctor and understand my realistic capabilities when it comes to my ability to run the company.”
“Does it matter? I mean, will that affect what you—”
“No,” he interrupts. “Regardless, Jillian has to be removed from any role of power."
I sigh, conflicted on the subject. "The company's her life, has been for twenty years." Brant won't be happy running BSX. Financial sheets bore him, meetings drive him insane, and I’d be shocked if he knows the names of ten of the employees.
He likes to be in a room, alone. Working, fixing, creating. Jillian does a great job in her role, even if she was psychotic in her treatment of Brant. I have no desire to reward the woman but hate the destruction of the status quo.
Brant taps at the buttons on his steering wheel and the car’s screen changes as he selects and dials the number for BSX.
A perky voice answers moments later, and I guess someone is still working despite the office being closed.
Brant clears his throat. "Hank Michen in Security, please.”
I blink, surprised that he knows a name in security. Maybe he can name ten employees without pause. In fact, it's likely he has the entire employee roster committed to memory.
The next voice is deeper and more intimidating in its greeting.
"Hank, this is Brant Sharp. I need to lock Jillian Sharp out of everything."
There is a long pause before the voice drawls back through the receiver. "At the risk of losing my job, is this a joke?"