Chapter 2 - The Denver Descent
For the next two hours, the cramped economy seat felt like the center of the universe. The $780 million acquisition waiting for me on the ground completely evaporated from my mind. All that existed was the smell of Cassandra’s lavender shampoo, the soft weight of Violet falling asleep against my arm, and the realization that I was a father.
While the twins slept, the harsh reality of Cassandra's struggles came to light in quiet whispers over the hum of the jet engines.
“I’m moving to Denver to live with my sister,” she confessed, looking down at her worn sneakers. “The freelance graphic design work dried up in Seattle. Rent got too high. The twins… they grow so fast. I couldn't afford a winter coat for Luke last month without skipping groceries.”
Every word felt like broken glass in my throat. I was a billionaire. I owned three penthouses, a fleet of luxury cars, and private jets I didn't even use. And the woman I had planned to propose to before Calder poisoned our lives was skipping meals to feed our children.
I pulled out my phone and paid an obscene amount of money for the agonizingly slow inflight Wi-Fi. I didn't text my acquisitions team. I bypassed my corporate network entirely and messaged my private, off-the-books investigator, a ruthless former intelligence officer named Vance.
I need a complete financial audit on Richard Calder and Marcus the security chief. Look for a two million dollar discrepancy exactly three years ago. I want the shell companies. I want the wire transfers. I want enough evidence to put them both in federal prison for the rest of their miserable lives. You have two hours.
When the plane finally began its descent into the snowy Denver night, the turbulence worsened. Violet woke up, whimpering as the cabin shook violently.
Without thinking, I unbuckled my seatbelt, scooped the little girl into my lap, and wrapped my arms around her. “I’ve got you, Violet,” I murmured into her soft hair. “It’s just the clouds dancing. I’m right here. I’m never letting you go again.”
Cassandra watched me, a profound, overwhelming emotion welling in her eyes. The man she had loved was finally back.
The moment the wheels hit the tarmac, my phone exploded with notifications. My acquisition team was panicking. The midnight deadline was less than an hour away, and Calder was already in the Merritt Systems boardroom, whispering lies to the board to secure the medical platform for himself.
Vance’s message came through at the top of the screen.
Got him, Boss. Calder routed corporate funds through a Cayman shell to draft that cashier's check, then pocketed the money when she refused to cash it. It’s textbook wire fraud and embezzlement. The files are in your secure inbox. Happy hunting.
I looked at Cassandra as the seatbelt sign chimed off. “Where were you planning to sleep tonight?”
May you like
“My sister’s couch,” she said quietly.
“Not anymore,” I said, standing up and reaching for their bags. “You and the twins are coming with me. We have a lot of lost time to make up for. But first, I have a boardroom to burn to the ground.”
