Page 49 of My Husband’s New Fiancée

A faint murmur ripples through the room.

“We could challenge the injunction,” Peltier says. “Drag the proceedings out. It would give us time to understand her motives.”

“The law is on her side,” Arthur Picard, our legal director, interjects in a neutral tone. “Contesting it without serious grounds would expose us more than it would her. She’s not just an employee we can hold accountable. She’s a cofounder and a major shareholder. She holds nearly enough shares for a blocking minority.”

Bianca presses her lips together.

“So there’s really nothing we can do?”

“Our best option is to let her come back and see what she really wants.”

Peltier and Bianca are clearly against the idea, but the other board members nod in agreement.

“The matter is settled,” I say. “Let’s move on to the next item.”

The meeting ends under tightly controlled tension.

On the way out, Bianca catches up to me.

“Peltier’s upset. We should have lunch with him to smooth things over.”

“Go without me. I have an important call.”

Despite her obvious irritation, she smiles, then rises onto her toes to kiss me.

I freeze.

The gesture is inappropriate here.

I turn my head away, and her lips land on my cheek instead.

I don’t stay long enough to see how she takes it.

That’s a conversation we’ll have in private.

Back in my office, I shut the door behind me and dial Andrea’s number.

He picks up almost immediately.

“I’m listening.”

“I want discreet surveillance installed in Valeria’s office. Internal cameras, activity logs, server snapshots on all sensitive directories.”

Silence.

“You want to see what she does... or what she’s looking for?”

“Both.”

A pause.

“When do you need it?”

“Tomorrow morning. Seven a.m.”

“That’s going to cost you.”

“Can you do it or not?”