Chapter 2

The moment I sent it, they kicked me out of the group.

I put away my phone and looked up. Someone new was standing in the doorway.

Julian Mercer, heir to Mercer Capital. Everyone in our circle knew how dangerous he could be behind that pleasant smile.

He wore a custom suit and walked in without hurrying, two attorneys following him. His gaze passed over the piles of payment demands on the table.

“Good. I'm not too late.”

The room had already been tense. His arrival made it worse.

Several executives visibly paled. Mercer Capital was one of the biggest investment firms in the industry. With Whitmore Group in free fall, no one thought Julian had come out of the goodness of his heart.

A flash of satisfaction crossed Vanessa's face. She leaned back in her chair as though the outcome was settled.

Mercer had been helping her set the trap. Having Julian here in person gave her another weapon.

Claire stood rigidly straight, her face draining of what little color remained.

Julian smiled at her.

“What's holding you up, Ms. Whitmore? Are you unclear on the size of the debt?

“The suppliers are demanding six hundred and ninety million in damages. The banks have called in one point eight billion. If the stock keeps plunging when trading resumes, the lenders will start liquidating the shares pledged as collateral.”

He checked his watch.

“At the moment, Whitmore is losing approximately fifty-five thousand five hundred dollars a minute.”

Nobody moved.

One of the finance people ran the calculation three times and still didn't dare read the answer aloud.

I sat in the corner, feeling actual pain.

Fifty-five thousand five hundred dollars a minute.

That minute cost more than my entire life had.

Vanessa took over smoothly. She pulled out a folder with gold lettering and pushed it toward Claire.

“For the sake of our time as sisters, transfer every share you hold to me. No payment. I'll ask Julian to be merciful and take over this mess. At least there'll still be a company left.

“Otherwise, you can go down with it. You signed the project agreement. You're the one they'll come after. You'll spend the rest of your life paying debts, with Mom and Dad's hospital bills on top.”

The general counsel wiped his forehead and leaned toward Claire.

“From a legal standpoint, this really may be the only way to give the family some breathing room...”

Claire stared at Vanessa, breathing hard with anger.

“You ungrateful bitch. My parents were so good to you. Why would you do this to them? What could you possibly get out of it?”

Vanessa's face hardened.

“Those two old fossils had me for a daughter for twenty years. Then you appeared, and they handed you the shares. Just like that. I've worked for this company for years. Did they ever notice what I did?”

Then she turned to Julian with a smile.

“As for what I get, Julian said he'd put me in charge of the whole Whitmore business.”

She stood and looked down at Claire.

“Sign, and I'll put seven and a half million into the account for their hospital expenses. They did raise me. I owe them something.”

Julian obligingly checked the time again.

“It's nine o'clock, Ms. Whitmore. At midnight, all these terms expire.”

Claire didn't move.

From my corner, I quietly picked up a document that had fallen to the floor.

I found the receiving account number. The longer I looked at it, the more familiar it seemed.

It was the same company's account I'd sent my $7,500 to.

But I hadn't paid $450 million. So why did this confirmation say I had?

Vanessa noticed what I was doing and gave a little laugh.

“Can the idiot even read that?

“Come to think of it, you're the project manager, aren't you? When this blows up, you'll be responsible too.”

Claire strode over and put herself in front of me.

“She has nothing to do with this. I approved the money. I signed the contract.”

Vanessa smiled.

“If you're so worried about her, sign. Or she can sleep on the street with you.”