“Sigh, that Howard–he’s back in the headlines again.”
Hector set his phone down on the table and looked over at Oliver, a hint of mischief in his eyes. “If Emerson and Howard ever joined forces, your wife would be in real trouble. She’s still working at Martin Group, right?”
“She’s on vacation,” Oliver said quietly.
“Vacation? Just like that? Out in the open? Emerson actually agreed to that?”
Anyone with a little common sense knew the safest way to keep tabs on someone was to keep them close. Once Patricia walked out that door, good luck trying to reel her back in.
Oliver’s voice was steady. “She can handle herself.”
Those four words carried so much affection it was almost too obvious. Hector caught the meaning instantly–maybe even more than Oliver meant to give away.
Patricia really did know how to take care of things. Her methods were always straightforward,
sometimes even a little ruthless.
Meanwhile, up in the Martin Group’s top floor office, Tina stood next to Emerson in her sharp black suit. The two of them–one sitting, one standing–had their eyes fixed on Patricia.
Tension filled the room, thick and silent, like the start of a war.
Patricia leaned back in her chair, looking perfectly at ease, as if she didn’t notice the hostility coming her way.
Emerson’s jaw clenched the moment Patricia mentioned taking time off, but he managed to keep his voice steady. “Why do you need a vacation?”
“My health isn’t great,” Patricia answered, cool as ever.
“You know about my old leg injury, Uncle Emerson. Even though it’s mostly healed, being out in the
cold still makes it hurt.”
“And besides, I had a dream about my dad last night. He told me Grandma’s birthday is coming up and asked me to visit her for him. Funny thing–I’ve been back all this time and still haven’t seen her. Uncle Emerson, do you know where Grandma is?”
Tina’s hand tightened at her side.
They’d gone to all this trouble to keep Grandma hidden away in a retirement home, just so Patricia couldn’t find her.
“Grandma told us herself not to bother her,” Emerson replied smoothly.
“Oh, really?” Patricia played with her bare earlobe. “If I remember right, Grandma has company shares, doesn’t she? Strange–I’ve never seen her at a single board meeting.”
“She’s getting old and her health isn’t good,” Emerson said. “Those meetings would be too much for her.”
1/2
18:49
Chapter 305
Patricia’s casual questions were clearly getting under his skin. He finally snapped, “Fine, take your vacation. Do you want a leave of absence, or are you quitting for good?”
“I’ll take the leave of absence.”
After a few more stiff words, Patricia got up and left.
As soon as the door closed, Tina’s frustration boiled over. “You’re really just going to let her walk out right under our noses?”
Emerson rubbed his forehead, looking exhausted. “Didn’t you hear her? She’s using Grandma to threaten us.”
“Don’t forget how we got all of this, Emerson. No matter what, Grandma has to stay alive.”
The room fell quiet.
After a long pause, Tina finally spoke. “Do you think she suspects something?”
“Isn’t Howard the one who started this? How far has it gone?”
Right as Tina voiced her doubts, Emerson’s phone lit up on his desk.
He glanced at the screen, pupils shrinking, then looked at Tina. “Wait outside. I need to take this call.”
Tina stared at him, surprised. Since when did he keep things from her?
“I can’t listen in?”
18:49
