I frown and flip back to the screen that has me out of my office. I narrow my eyes at the reports. Something isn’t right. I scroll to see who prepared this. It’s not Liz’s work. Things are missing and jumbled. My reports haven’t looked like this in months.
I tap a few buttons to reveal a part of the system my employees don’t know about. I bare my teeth as I find the time stamp and signature of the one who filed the report. As I near the bend that will lead me to the reception desk, I pause.
“Have you seen that ring?” I overhear Michelle say.
“Oh my God, I was watching her channel and saw. So much for not dating coworkers.”
“Well, I saw it in person yesterday. Man, I wish I would have thought to sleep my way through this place. She gets to go on trips and now she’s engaged to all that fine, money, and power. Ugh, I totally fucked up.”
“But she doesn’t need the money. Some dude posted her net worth on one of the forums. She’s worth like fifty-seven million all by herself.”
“See, she doesn’t even need the come up. I should totally sabotage her and seduce the boss.” Michelle snickers. “I mean, she’s always got her head stuck in a book. How the fuck does she manage to get so much work done? It drives me crazy. I sit here slaving and by ten I look up and she’s done.”
“Good luck with that one. I tried to apply for her old position, but her sister was hired instead. Now that I think about it, something fishy is going on around here. I wouldn’t have wanted that job anyway. Did you notice how no one even talks about the fact that his wife was murdered? Why not?”
I grind my teeth. I’m still trying to place the other voice. I pull up all the applicants for Lizzy’s old job. I scan the list. I’m firing these two today. As soon as I find out from HR if there’s anything stopping me, they’re both gone, no matter the cost.
“Old fat nerdy cow,” Michelle says bitterly. “She probably ate his wife and ran the car off the road after.”
The guy chuckles, but it sounds off. Almost forced. “To be fair. I don’t think she’s fat. She’s curvy.”
“Whatever. Did you need something?”
I step from behind the wall and glare at the two. This little fuck is the intern who used to lurk around Lizzy. He can go now without question. As I think of the report Michelle just fucked up, I decide I need no further reason. Her ass can go too.
I move over to the desk and set my tablet down. Peter, the intern, tries to turn and scurry off.
“Don’t move,” I snarl. I then turn to Michelle. “Give me the phone.”
I pick up the receiver and dial for the front desk. I don’t miss that Peter won’t look at me. I don’t like this guy. Something about him rubs me wrong.
“This is Mr. Di Lorenzo. Have security come up to my floor. I would like Michelle McCallister and Peter”—I look down at my tablet—“Hall removed from the building. Make sure they turn in their IDs and passkeys. They aren’t to be allowed back in this building as of today, they’re both fired.”
“Yes, Mr. Di Lorenzo. Someone is on the way.”
I grunt and cradle the receiver. Michelle sits with her mouth hanging open, and all the blood has drained from Peter’s face.
“For the record, you’re not my type,” I say to Michelle. “And if you weren’t gossiping every chance you got, you would be able to do your work and finish in a timely fashion, or at least, you’d be able to do it properly.”
I turn my gaze to Peter. “Her net worth is no one’s business. I don’t understand how you guys call yourselves fans but try to violate her life every chance you get.”
“I…I…I—”
“Save it. My dead wife is none of your—or anyone else’s—business. You shouldn’t work for someone if you think they’re questionable, so I’m doing you a favor.”
Security arrives, and I turn to leave before I really lose my temper. I need to pull the proper reports and get on with my day.
Lizzy
“That’s the one, Liz. You look amazing. You’re going to take Dante’s breath away.”
“Yes,” Denise sniffles. “This one is perfect. You look absolutely gorgeous.”
I look in the mirror at the dress and it steals my breath away. I’ll have to get back to my morning yoga religiously to tighten my tummy, but it’s this one for the win.
The bodice gives the illusion that my top is bare, only a few intricate lace patterns cover my intimate places and scatter along my arms. The skirts are full princess layers with a petticoat beneath. The top layer is intricately beaded with sparkling lace.