Chapter 3

3

I turned to walk away, but Winona's voice barked from behind me.

"Foster Sterling, stay right there!"

I stopped and looked back over my shoulder, my gaze icy.

"What? Did the CEO have a change of heart?"

Winona's lip curled in disgust.

"Change of heart? Look at yourself. There's nothing about you worth regretting."

She reached out and grabbed the company jacket I had grabbed earlier to stay warm.

She ripped it off me, leaving me in my thin undershirt.

"You can leave, but you're not taking company property with you."

I narrowed my eyes at her.

"I'm curious, Winona. Why do you trust your assistant so much?"

"From what I know, Zander never even met the client. How exactly did he close the deal?"

The office erupted in whispers.

"Is he stupid? The deposit is already in the company account, and he's still talking trash."

"He's just jealous of Zander's talent. What a pathetic guy."

"It's disgusting. He lives off her and then tries to ruin the company's heroes."

I finally understood.

When I made the call to New York, I didn't think they'd send the money before the contract was even signed.

My reputation was clearly stronger than I thought.

But their efficiency had accidentally given Zander the perfect cover.

Winona saw my silence and assumed I was intimidated.

"Exactly. This office isn't for your fairy tales. Get lost."

I had been humiliated enough. Even my patience had a limit.

As Winona turned back toward her office, I pulled out my phone.

"Don't be in such a rush to kick me out. Since you don't believe me, let's clear things up."

I dialed a number and put it on speaker for everyone to hear.

The call connected after a few rings.

"Hey, Beckett? It's Foster."

A loud, excited voice boomed from the phone.

"Foster? I thought you were busy playing house. What's up, man?"

I glanced at Winona and sighed.

"Let's just say I got played."

Beckett roared with laughter, the sound echoing through the office.

I cleared my throat awkwardly.

"Look, I need you to confirm something for me. I'm on speaker."

"Got it, boss! Anything for you!"

I got straight to the point.

"That Thorne Industries deal... was it because of my call that you agreed to sign?"

Beckett didn't miss a beat.

"Yeah! I was confused because you never ask for favors. But you said it was your girl's company."

"I didn't know you were such a romantic, Foster."

I ignored his teasing and pressed on.

"Does the name Zander Brooks mean anything to you? Did you meet him?"

Beckett paused for a second.

"The name is on the paperwork, but I've never seen the guy in my life."

Before I could ask more, Winona lunged forward and snatched the phone from my hand.

"You're a lunatic! I don't know where you found this actor to play along!"

She screamed into the phone.

"I am the CEO of Thorne Industries! If you keep helping Foster lie, I'll see you in court!"

"You're both pathetic scammers!"

She slammed the hang-up button before he could respond.

I was stunned.

Beckett could be a jokester with me, but he was ruthless in business.

Winona had no idea she had just insulted one of the most powerful men in the country.

She had just signed her company's death warrant.