Then I began crying.
Not because I wanted him to rescue me.
Because I was tired of discovering how many people had mistaken my love for weakness.
***
Two days later, Helen called.
“Gloria, we’ve found the beneficial owner behind Redcrest.”
My heart quickened.
“Who?”
She hesitated.
“Daniel Pierce.”
I closed my eyes.
Of course.
The man who advised me to sell River Oaks had an undisclosed interest in the company that purchased it.
He had presented himself as my protector while positioning himself to benefit from the transaction.
I felt sick.
“What about Malcolm?”
“He’s connected to Ashcroft. The two businesses have overlapping arrangements.”
I sat down.
Then Helen continued.
“Gloria, there’s another document.”
My heart tightened.
“What?”
“A draft agreement between Ashcroft and Redcrest.”
I waited.
“It describes a proposed acquisition of Cedarline’s remaining real-estate portfolio.”
My hands went numb.
“They wanted all of it.”
“That’s what the draft suggests.”
