A risky affair, p.13
A Risky Affair, page 13
“Are you some kind of hacker? Did you hack into our accounts?” Lawrence yelled out.
“Yes, I did hack into your accounts, but I am so much more than just a hacker. I have the power to make your lives disappear. When you came for me, but hurt my sister Opal in error, I had another plan for you, not as drastic, but you would not have been happy.” She shook her head. “Then you came after Ms. Natalie and well…I decided you needed the full monty.”
“Oh she was only sick for a day. If the heifer had stayed out of our business it would not have happened,” Lauren snapped.
Phire glared at Lauren. “I hope you have some skills. You are going to need a job.”
Phire pushed a few buttons to see the bottom line to the first account with Lauren’s name on it. “Not bad,” she said then pushed a button. “Nine figures gone with the touch of a finger.”
“This is some kind of trick.” Lauren’s voice shook with uncertainty.
“If thinking that helps you deal with this loss, by all means use it,” Phire said as she went to the second account with eight figures in the balance, then pushed a button. Lauren groaned as a zero appeared in the balance.
“Stop this,” Lawrence yelled. “Why are you doing this?”
“This is what you have done to your brothers and sisters. You stripped them of their inheritance. I’m only doing to you what you did to them,” Phire explained. “I can understand your nervousness, because I am sure this next account is going to generate questions from Lauren.” She pulled up the last account to show the balance.
“What the hell?” Lauren’s head jerked around to glare at Lawrence.
“I can explain,” he quickly stated.
“Hell, Larry, there is barely a hundred grand in that account.”
“The business at ESTY has been slow. We’ve been bleeding money from all directions,” he tried to explain.
“It’s only going to get worse,” Phire stated as she pushed the button leaving a zero balance. “There. I feel better already. Now, it’s your turn, Lawrence.”
She pulled up four accounts listed under Lawrence’s name. Each of the accounts had at least nine figures in the balance, with the exception of one. “You know I’m going to zero them all out. Even your account in the Cayman Islands is being stripped.” Phire pushed a button zeroing out three accounts. “This ESTY account is going to remain where it is, however, it now has a trustee.” She closed the tablet. “You will receive a salary and benefits matching your new position. All financial authority has been stripped from you.”
“You don’t have the authority to do any of what you are claiming here,” Lawrence chuckled. “I must say you put on a convincing performance here but that’s all it was…a performance. When I am free of this…restraint, my first call will be to the district attorney to file charges against you for false imprisonment. If one dime is missing from either of our accounts I will add embezzlement to that.”
“That would be true if LT had not just acquired 51% of ESTY.”
“What?” Lauren screamed out as she glared at Lawrence. “Can he do that?”
“Technically, but there is no way our investors would sell to him,” Lawrence replied.
“A number of them thought that since you sold your shares it was in their best interest to do the same.” Phire closed her backpack then walked towards the door. “Oh, I should tell you, Gia was named the CEO of ESTY. I suggest you find a way to work with your siblings. They are all now a part of your Board of Directors. The Carlton London Law firm will be in touch first thing in the morning.”
Lawrence tried to jump up in anger. “You cannot do that. That is my father’s company.”
“It’s their father’s company also,” Phire replied. “Now it belongs to all of you. Learn to share, Lawrence. As for you.” She looked at Lauren. “If you are nice, Gia might…might give you a job.”
“They are bastard children. There is no way the court is going to allow you to get away with any of this,” Lauren shouted. “Our lawyers will have you behind bars before the night is out.”
“Oh no. We can’t have that. I’m getting married on Saturday.” Phire smiled. “I hope you two will be free by then and can make it.”
Chapter 24
“This cannot be possible.” Lauren slammed her purse on the bank manager’s desk. “I have millions of dollars in this bank. My accounts have been with this bank since I was a child.”
“Ms. Trent, I assure you I have been a manager at this branch for almost twenty years. I have never seen you before this day.”
“Because I never dealt with low level employees before. Hell, I don’t come inside of a bank,” Lauren said with disdain. “Bankers come to me, you moron. Someone inside these walls had to help her do this.”
“Help who do what, ma’am?”
“That Sapphire woman. Someone in here helped her steal all my money. I want you to call the police right now.” Lauren grabbed the phone receiver from the manager’s desk and threw it at him. “Call the police…NOW.”
“I will be happy to,” the manager replied as he motioned for security. When the lone officer entered, the manager pointed to Lauren. “Detain this woman.”
“Detain me?” Lauren yelled. “Are you crazy? My name is Lauren Trent and I have more money than you can count.”
“You are correct,” the manager replied as police officer rushed into the office. “Zero dollars cannot be counted. Please remove this person from the premises,” he then said to the officer.
“I want this person arrested. Call my accountant, he will tell you,” Lauren screamed as officers began to physically remove her from the bank. “I want my money back.”
“I think she is having a psychotic episode,” the officer stated. “You may want to have her checked out.”
At ESTY, Lawrence’s morning was not going any better. He was on a call with his accountant when he discovered there were no signs of any accounts with his name on it, other than ESTY.
“What do you mean? You have handled my accounts for years?”
“The business accounts, yes. But it has been years since you contacted us about any personal accounts,” his accountant stated. “I was under the impression that you moved them elsewhere.”
“Moved them! Why in the hell would I have moved them?” Lawrence stood as he yelled. “Millions of dollars of my money is in your control.”
“We have no record of that, Lawrence.”
“Stop saying that. You must have. You supplied all of my credit cards, the mortgage on the house, all five of my vehicles.”
“We do have a record of your family home, the vehicles and the credit cards. Your house is paid for as are the vehicles. I do see you have a substantial credit limit that is in good standing.”
Lawrence breathed a little easier, thinking he was finally getting through to the man. “Thank you, now find the rest of my money.”
“There is nothing more to find, Mr. Trent,” the accountant stated. “That is all that there is.”
There was a knock on the door.
“What is it?” Lawrence yelled.
“Mr. Trent, there are a number of people here indicating you have a 9 am board meeting.”
“We don’t have a damn board…” Lawrence stopped mid-sentence. He had been so consumed with finding his money he had almost forgotten what else that Sapphire woman said. “I have to call you back,” he said to the accountant. “Find my money,” he demanded then hung up the phone. “Bring them in here.”
The secretary stood to the side, to allow a tall slim man dressed in at least a three thousand dollar suit to walk into Lawrence’s office followed by Gia Ferrell.
“Mr. Trent, I presume. My name is Carlton London. I am the founding partner of The Carlton London Law firm. I believe you know Ms. Ferrell.”
Gia smiled. “Hello, Lawrence. I remember once when you and I were much younger you ordered me to get out of your father’s office. I’m here to tell you the same. Karma is a bitch…isn’t she.”
“What in the hell are you talking about, Gia?” Lawrence barked.
“As of yesterday afternoon, Gia, Madeline, Selma, Peyton, Ryder and Owen own 57% of ESTY Corporation. With the controlling interest in place they have made the following changes, a Board of Directors has been established to include all of the aforementioned in addition to Lauren Trent and yourself. A set of bylaws are now in place, with Gia Ferrell as the Chief Executive Officer and you as Chief Operations Officer.”
“When hell freezes over.” Lawrence picked up his phone. “I’m calling my attorneys right now.”
“I took the liberty of contacting them personally this morning with the same information that was provided to you. They are in the outer office waiting for the board meeting to commence. Unfortunately, we were not able to reach your sister to advise her. Do you happen to know her whereabouts?”
Lawrence’s cellphone buzzed. He pulled it out of his pocket and saw the call was from Lauren. He answered it. “You better get to the office…” He stopped talking and held the phone from his ear as Lauren screamed back at him.
“I’m in jail!”
LT stretched out his arms, allowing Sapphire to roll into his embrace. “This is the day when you leave me as a Lassiter. The next time I see you, we will walk down the aisle as Mr. and Mrs. Palmer.”
“I know.” Phire placed her arm over his body. “I miss you already.” She kissed his chest.
“Do you know I have seen every side of Sapphire and I love her?However, watching you as Phire in ESTY’s office gave me a hard on like you would not believe.”
Phire smiled as she placed her legs across his body, then sat up straddling him. “I know. I felt it all night long.” She smiled down at him.
His hands roamed her thighs as they talked. “Between you, Mac and Zoe, I have no idea which one of you is more dangerous.”
“I know…right,” Phire exclaimed. “I mean we knew when you hired those two that they were technical geniuses, but man, they pulled off switching those accounts as if it was child’s play. And to hide them from all eyes was just freakin’ awesome.”
“It was mesmerizing to watch them at work,” LT replied. “I’m going to lose them, aren’t I?”
“Probably, however, they will still officially be employees of Palmer Innovations. There is no way I would hire them at The Administration and leave you high and dry. Setting up our systems will demand most of their time. Once it’s up and running, Mac and Zoe will be available for you.”
“After watching them work I have no doubt they can handle both of our needs.”
“Hmm….speaking of needs. We are going to be separated for the next two nights.” Her hands roamed his chest, her fingers circling his nipples. “I’m in need of enough of you to hold me until our wedding night.”
LT sat up, wrapping his arms around her waist, his lips meeting hers as he whispered against them, “I think they have big futures ahead of them. However,” he kissed her throat, “the only future I want to discuss is ours.”
He flipped her onto her back. The double doors to their bedroom flew open.
“Oh, hell no! There will be none of that until after you say I do.” Ruby, followed by Pearl, Diamond, Opal and Jade burst into the room.
LT threw the sheet over their naked bodies as Pearl grabbed Phire by the leg and pulled her from his embrace. Opal stuffed a scarf in her mouth then held her arms over her head as Diamond pulled a dress over her body. Jade bent down to put Phire’s feet into a pair of flip-flops then put a hood over her face. The sisters took her by the arms and literally carried her out the room.
Ruby stood at the door as they passed by, smiled at him and said, “Bye bye now. See you Saturday.” Then closed the door behind her.
LT jumped out of the bed, wrapping the sheet around his naked body then ran into the great room. The front door was closing as he turned the corner.
“Man, it’s been a long time since I’ve seen an extraction like that.” Mr. Green laughed. “They took your woman from you in less than two minutes.”
LT turned. Mr. Green and Granny were sitting at the kitchen table eating.
“Want some coffee,” Granny laughed as she held a cup out to him.
Chapter 25
Phire was shoved into the vehicle cursing when she heard the voice.
“Well done, ladies. Now, let’s get this party started.”
“Sally?” Phire called out.
“I’m Mustang Sally today. Sapphire Josephine, are you ready to ride?”
Phire’s heart was still racing from her sisters’ shenanigans and wasn’t sure if she was ready for Sally. “I take the fifth on that.”
“Ask and you shall receive,” Opal laughed.
The bottom of the hood that was placed over her head came up. A glass was put to her lips.
“Take your medicine,” Ruby said as someone held back her head and smooth cognac filled her mouth.
“Holy shit,” Phire exclaimed as the liquid flowed down her throat.
“The holy ghost can’t help you now that we got a hold of you.” Jade laughed.
“We have arrived,” Diamond said igniting a round of cheers from her sisters.
“Where are we?” Phire asked.
“At the crossroads of the end of the single life and the intersection of marital bliss,” Pearl stated as Phire was pulled from the vehicle.
When her feet hit the ground, Phire wasn’t afraid because she knew she was with her sisters. It was the anticipation of the unknown that had her adrenaline running crazy.
She was guided into the building and heard when the doors closed then there was silence. A second later the hood was pulled from her face and a glass of champagne was pushed into her hands. The song Fire by The Ohio Players filled the room. Phire looked to see Sally, Ruby, Pearl, Diamond, Opal, Jade, Sasha, Leah, Denise, Roc, Amber, Cynthia, Angela, and Deidre smiling back at her with a glass of champagne in their hands dancing to the music.
Phire scanned around the room. The pink and white decor was elegant, with stunning pink and white drapes covering the ceiling, and a mixture of white roses and gardenias held strategically in place to give a harem effect. There were tall pink and white feathered fans all around separating the stations of tables, which were three rows ten massage tables deep throughout the room.
“Do you like it?” Sally asked.
“OMG, I love it…What is it?”
The women in the room laughed.
“It’s part one of your bridal shower,” Zsa Zsa announced.
“Zsa Zsa,” Phire exclaimed. “I didn’t even see you standing there.”
“Good, that means we did our job right,” Deidre said as she shared a high five with Zsa Zsa. Phire had to take that in before continuing looking around the room.
“Okay, we do not have time to waste,” Angela took her hand. “Part one of today’s escape begins with deep tissue massages for everyone.”
Zsa Zsa took her other arm. “Then we will have lunch in the gardens.”
“Then tonight, it’s men,” Deidre shouted. “Girl, they put me in charge of that.”
“I don’t have any change of clothes,” Phire said as they walked her to the far end of the room to the massage table that was decorated with ribbons, balloons and lots of bottles of champagne.
“We have everything you need right in this room,” Sally told her. “For the next twenty-four hours you are in our hands.”
The massages were wonderful. With all her family and friends around, Phire was in heaven. There were no thoughts of all the craziness she had waiting for her in the outside world. For now, in this moment, her mind was free. When they stepped out into the gardens, Phire knew exactly where they were.
“Prince LaVeré is going to kill you when he finds out what you did to his ballroom.”
Zsa Zsa laughed. “It was his suggestion. Can you believe Cynthia and Carolyn designed the ballroom together?”
“Without fighting?” Phire asked surprised.
“It seems your wedding is bringing the arch enemies together. That is how I knew you and LT are meant to be.”
“What about you and James Jr.?” Phire walked arm in arm with her friend to the table.
“Who knows? Maybe one day you will come to my country to be a part of our wedding celebration.”
“I don’t think that day is too far off.” Phire smiled as her mother reached for her.
“Zsa Zsa, do you mind if I pull Phire away for a moment?” Sally asked.
“Not at all. We have all night to celebrate with her.” Zsa Zsa walked away giving mother and daughter some privacy.
“Walk with me, Sapphire.” Sally took her daughter’s hand and began walking the beautiful gardens of the estate.
“You called me Sapphire. This can’t be good.”
Sally smiled. “You are about to become a wife. On Saturday your father is going to walk you down the aisle to a man who is worthy of you. If he were not, Joe and I would not give you away.” She laughed. “Here’s what I need you to hear from me.” She stopped, took both of Phire’s hands in hers then looked her lovingly in the eyes. “This world has no idea what is coming for them. You keep it that way. Always keep them guessing. However, don’t ever feel like you have to carry the weight of the world on your shoulders. Don’t be afraid to lean on LT every now and then. It is his love and strength that is going to keep you on solid ground. That young man has strong shoulders. He can handle whatever you bring to him. Just as I know you can handle what he will bring to you.” She squeezed her hands. “I want you to notice I never used the phrase you are a strong woman. It’s for a reason. Every time I hear that phrase I say my god what pressure are we putting on our young girls to carry the hopes and dreams of everyone in their world on their shoulders. Yes, I know you can. Yes, you welcome the challenges. But always remember you have a heart that has to be massaged every now and then. Allow others to stand in when you are weary. Allow others to hold you up when you are weak and most of all, always let love rule your steps. Your heart will never lead you astray. When you become Mrs. Lawrence Trent Palmer, remember Sapphire Josephine Lassiter, can roar louder than a tiger. You’re my baby girl. I believe you are going to set this world on fire.”
