Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 90433 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 452(@200wpm)___ 362(@250wpm)___ 301(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90433 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 452(@200wpm)___ 362(@250wpm)___ 301(@300wpm)
“How about I have a prospect tail you? They can wait outside and be there just in case.”
Kelsie shook her head. “No. I can do this. I need to do this. I can’t have a prospect follow me everywhere I go for the rest of my life.”
Ty frowned but didn’t push the issue. If he had, she’d have relented, but every outing she survived on her own without panicking was one step closer to normalcy.
Another reason to love him.
“All right,” he said as he scooped his phone off the counter. “But I want you to promise you’ll call me if you have even a hint of discomfort, okay?”
“Yes, sir.” She snapped out a sassy salute.
“Trouble,” Ty said, chuckling. He glanced at his phone. “Holy shit.”
Her stomach soured. “What?”
“Turn on the news, babe.”
Kelsie hopped off the counter and ran for the television. The last thing they’d watched was the news yesterday evening after dinner, so the media channel came right up.
The morning announcer’s face filled the screen. “We come to you this morning with breaking news out of Alabama. As of twenty minutes ago, Carver Industries has declared bankruptcy.”
Kelsie gasped and dropped down onto the couch, clutching the remote. “Holy crap.” They’d been glued to the news for the past week and a half, waiting for any tidbit of information about her father. Acer had assured Curly his virus worked, and Carver’s financial demise would be imminent.
But so far, it’d been crickets. Not a peep out of her father or a hint of what was happening behind the scenes. All they’d known was that her brother withdrew his proposal to purchase the building Ty had his eye on. No matter how hard Acer searched, he hadn’t been able to report any new information over the past few days. Her father and brother had gone dark and silent.
Until now.
“Reports of massive, companywide fraud and embezzlement have been hitting the airwaves all morning. They appear to have been leaked by someone with inside knowledge of Carver Industries' financials. McCarthy Carver, serving a three-year house arrest sentence, is no stranger to legal troubles regarding his business practices. Numerous accusations of fraud have been tried over the years, but few have stuck. Even while under house arrest, he has been allowed to continue running his multi-billion-dollar corporation.
“We’ve been told investors have been pulling out left and right. Over the past week, partner corporations have dropped their combined projects, taking hits into the hundreds of millions of dollars.”
“Holy fuck.” Ty breathed out as he came to sit next to her. “It worked. It fucking worked.”
“That’s right, John,” a female commentator added. “Now, much of what we are reporting this morning is still unsubstantiated, but we’ll be working to verify every report we receive to bring you the most accurate and up-to-date information. If you have a job with Carver Industries, don’t panic. Often, a buyer will swoop in and purchase the failing company in these situations. What we do know is that McCarthy Carver is persona non grata right now, and everyone can’t get away from him fast enough.”
“Yeah, Barb, it’s hard to see him coming back from this one. Dare we say McCarthy Carver is ruined?”
“I don’t know, John. It sure seems that way. Let’s take a look at this clip from a press conference given a few moments ago by Speaker of the House Tinsley, who was rumored to be preparing to throw his support behind Carver in a bid for Alabama governorship.”
“This is insane,” Kelsie whispered. She’d seen her family in the news countless times, but usually, the reports were of her slippery father evading major consequences for his criminal activity.
It was hard to breathe. She felt like she was floating above her body, watching two people respond to a shocking news story, but the fact it was happening to her family didn’t fully register.
Congressman Tinsley’s face filled the screen. She stiffened. The man bore a remarkable resemblance to his pariah of a son.
Ty scooped her up and settled her on his lap. “You okay, baby?” he said as he wrapped those strong arms around her.
“Better now.” She settled back against his chest and quieted to hear what Tinsley had to say.
“It is with deepest regret that I have learned what has been happening behind the scenes at Carver Industries.” Tinsley compressed his lips and shook his head. “For all of you hurt by McCarthy Carver’s actions, I see you and feel your pain and disappointment.”
“What a crock of shit,” Ty mumbled.
“Shh…” she patted his arm, “… but you're right. This couldn’t smell worse if it were made of dog poop.”
Ty chuckled and kissed her head.
“Carver Industries had several government contracts and collaborations. Rest assured, the Justice Department is aware of the situation. McCarthy Carver will be investigated with the full backing and power of the United States Government. Thank you.”