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“Me Warner is part of the executive team, Roman replied smoothly. “She’s here in her official capacity
Blair watched Dan’s fare carefully, noting the flash of anger that crossed in His gaze dropped to her engagement ring and his expression hardened further
“Who I have with me at any meeting is completely up to me and not up for debate. Also, not the reason we find ourselves in this meeting. We’re here to discuss the two hundred and seventeen thousand dollars that’s been stolen from Kingsto Industries over the past eleven months” Roman continued, his voice deadly calm.
Caroline visibly paled. Dan’s expression barely changed, but Blair noticed his right hand twitch
“I don’t know what you’re talking about. What stolen money?” Dan said, his voice steady,
Roman opened a folder and slid documents across the table, “Bank statements. Transfer records. Hotel receipts, Kanvast exchanges. It’s all here, Dan. We know everything”
Dan glanced at the papers but didn’t touch them. “This is ridiculous. I haven’t stolen anything”
Caroline made a small noise, something between a gasp and a sob. “Dan=”
“Shut up, Caroline,” he hissed.
“It’s over, Dan” Blair said quietly, “The evidence is overwhelming. The board has already been briefed. The police will be
here within the hour”
Dan’s composure finally cracked. “This is bullshit!” He turned on Blair. “You’re setting me up because you’re bitter. I moved on with Laura!”
Blair almost laughed. “Moved on? Is that what you call sleeping with Caroline while you’re engaged to my cousing”
Caroline let out a choked sob. “I’m sorry” she whispered, “I didn’t… I thought he loved me. I didn’t know about the rest until his engagement noticed appeared online”
Dan’s face contorted with fury, “You stupid bitch. You think I loved you? You were convenient, Useful?
That was it. Dan didn’t love anyone. There were only two people that she really felt sorry for That was his mother, Paula, and Dan’s unborn child. Blair was glad for her lucky escape from being caught up in this mess
Roman’s voice cut through the tension like a blade, “That’s enough, Dan. You’re fired, effective immediately, Security will escort you from the building after we’ve collected your company property. The police will handle the rest?
“You can’t do this,” Dan sputtered, “I’ll sue for wrongful termination! Blair set me up to take the fall after I cheated on her This is all her”
“By all means, sue?” Ashley spoke up from where she had entered silently, “We have more than enough evidence to counter any lawsuit and press criminal charges. Embezzlement carries a penalty of up to fifteen years in prison. Blair’s fingers are nowhere near any of this, Dan, but your sticky ies are”
The color drained from Dan’s face. For the first time, he seemed to realize the gravity of his situation.
“This isn’t over,” he said, standing, so abruptly his chair toppled backward. “You’ll regret this, Roman. Both of you will”
Peters stepped forward, the security guards flanking him. “Mr. Morris, please come with us. We’ll collect your personal effects from your office and escort you out. The police should be waiting downstairs for you once we are done”
Dan looked wildly around the room before his gaze settled on Blair. “This is your fault. You did this to punish me”
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Blair met his gaze steadily. “No, Dan. You did this to yourself. I only found out about the embezzlement recently. Roman had kept it quiet.”
As Peters led Dan away, Caroline remained slumped in her chair, tears streaming down her face.
“Ms. Mitchell,” Roman said, his tone slightly gentler. “You’ll also be terminated and escorted from the building. The extent of your cooperation with the investigation will be noted and may influence how the company proceeds legally. I would suggest you make a deal with the police first, because I don’t think Dan will protect you”
Caroline nodded miserably. “I’ll cooperate. I’ll tell you and them everything.” She looked at Blair. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t know he was engaged to your cousin. He told me he was trying to break up with you. Said you were clingy and wouldn’t let him go.”
Blair felt pity for the woman. “Save it for the police, Caroline. I don’t care about Dan.”
As Caroline was led away by the second security team, Blair exhaled slowly. “Well, that’s that.”
Roman touched her shoulder. “You okay?”
“Yes.” And surprisingly, she meant it. “I just feel bad for his mother. Laura is going to find out Dan was cheating on her too… it’s going to be humiliating because it will be very public.”
“She made her choices,” Roman reminded her gently.
“I know.” Blair shook her head. “I guess what goes around really does come around. Karma.”
They were interrupted by Blair’s phone ringing. She glanced at the
“Hey,” she answered.
“Did it happen?” Sutton asked immediately. “Did they fire him?”
“Just now. How did you know?”
Screen–Sutton.
“Luca told me. He said Roman called him this morning.” There was a pause. “She called me this morning. To apologize, if you can believe it. She said she has been having some kind of crisis of conscience since you confronted them at the engagement party. I think she’s also scared about being broke, now that she’s lost everything with Peter’s arrest. Wait until she founds out that Dan is going to be arrested as well.”
Blair held the snort. She didn’t believe Laura felt sorry about anything. She was looking for a meal ticket. Thinking because Sutton was pregnant she would be the softer touch.
“Did you tell her about Dan and Caroline?”
“No,” Sutton replied. “That’s not my news to deliver. She wanted to catch up… talk.”
Blair sighed. She had no desire to rekindle any relationship with Laura, but she also couldn’t find it in herself to wish more pain on her cousin. “Tell her… tell her she should call Dan. Soon. Before the news breaks.”
“I will. And Blair? You did the right thing. With the embezzlement investigation, I mean. It couldn’t have been easy, knowing it would hurt Laura too.”
“It wasn’t my decision to make,” Blair said. “Dan stole from the company. He has to face the consequences.”
After ending the call, Blair turned to find Roman watching her.
“Laura?” he asked.
“She called Sutton…. Apparently trying to make amends. Not that I believe it. Some people are just innately selfish.” Blair
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shook her head. “What a mess.”
Roman pulled her into his arms. “It’s over now. Dan’s gone. Jessica’s gone. Peter’s in jail. We can finally move forward.”
Blair rested her head against his chest, drawing strength from his steady heartbeat. “You’re right. And I’ve made a decision.”
“About?” He ran his hands down her back.
“Warner Industries. I’m going to do it–run the company. With your help, of course. I know I said it, but this time it has more meaning behind it.”
Roman pressed a kiss to her forehead. “I never doubted you would.”
Blair smiled up at him. “You know what this means, don’t you?”
“What’s that?”
“We’re going to be the power couple of the year. Two CEOs, one household.”
Roman laughed. “I like the sound of that. Almost as much as I like the sound of Mrs. Kingston.”
“Blair Kingston,” she tested the name. “It has a nice ring to it.”
“Speaking of rings,” Roman said, “we only have a few days before we exchange ours. Have you bought a dress?”
Err.. No, but I will. So much has been going on.”
“Blair, take a morning off and go buy a dress. I know we are only having a small get together but I want you to wear a wedding dress.”
Blair thought about it for a moment. After everything they’d been through, the danger, the drama, the revelations… a quiet ceremony sounded appealing.
“Right. Back to work, Mr. Kingston.”
“After you, Ms. Warner… soon–to–be Mrs. Kingston.”
