The Billionaire's Secretary (Billionaire's Series Book 1) (5 page)

The towel was removed from her mouth and when she finally opened her eyes to look, she saw Liz squatting down beside her.

There was shouting and fighting outside the powder room, but Aurora couldn’t see what was happening. She just sat there and allowed Liz to tend to her. She heard the sirens approaching and she went wild-eyed.

“Please, Liz. Don’t let the police see me like this. I don’t want to go through that.”

When the police officers entered the foyer, Liz closed the door quietly and allowed the men to take Alan Guyton away.

***

“So, now you’re keeping two secrets about me,” Aurora said to Adrian as they stood on the terrace of the estate house looking out over the grounds.

“I’m not keeping score and neither should you,” he replied. “In time, you’ll find that I’m a very trustworthy person, Aurora. For the past seven years, you’ve probably repeatedly wondered why my dad loves you so much. He raves about your work and he’s keen on you learning everything that he can possibly teach you. Everybody says it’s because you’re sleeping together or that you remind him of my mom, but the truth is that you remind him of me, Aurora. He sees everything he ever saw in me in you and has been so grateful to have a second chance to groom another human being the way he did me. After Alan, I think he thought he’d lost his touch with young people. You’ve taught him that he’s just as good of a role model as he always was and that makes him extremely happy.”

“I’d never have thought that I’d hear that from you, Adrian.”

“That’s because I don’t make a habit of talking like this with anyone. But I think after what you endured today, you deserved an encouraging word or two.”

“Thank you for what you did for me. He’s your brother, I know it must have been hard.”

“It was. Maybe next time you could help by not being such a shameless flirt.”

Before she could answer him, Adrian turned and walked away. Aurora was left behind fighting back fresh tears.

Just then, her phone rang. It was Mr. G. She cleared her throat quickly and answered it as she swept the tears from her eyes.

“Yes, sir?”

“Aurora,” he bellowed. “Gather what’s left of my sons and get in the dining room. We have an emergency in Hong Kong.”

“Yes, sir.”

Aurora ran into the house and found the two brothers lingering over by the bar in the entertainment room.

“Mr. Guyton needs us in conference,” she said curtly and made her way down the hall to the huge dining room.

As she stepped in, she saw Andrew Guyton sitting in front of a large screen chattering animatedly with a small Chinese man who spoke only fair English. She only caught the last part of their conversation, but the Chinese man, who she found out was Lu Wei, the CEO of Tsang Wei Electronics, looked angry. And worried. A few moments later, they ended the call and Andrew turned to face the three.

“This is terrible. Lu Wei is adamant that he won’t do business with people who are accused of bad business practice. He claims that this hoo-hah with Alan has him convinced that selling to Xaoping is the right thing to do.”

“Then offer him more money. I’m sure he’ll reconsider,” Adrian said smugly.

“Not everyone worships the almighty greenback like you, son,” his father retorted. “Lu Wei is not for sale.”

“What would be the big deal if they sold out anyway? They’re our biggest competitors over there so wouldn't that be a good thing if they didn’t exist anymore?” Aaron asked.

Before anyone else could respond, Aurora answered him.

“That’s just it, Aaron. The only reason we’ve been able to compete with them at all is because they aren’t very liquid. Had they the capital resources, they would have blown us out of the market ages ago. That’s not the case with Xaoping, though. They’re rumored to have Yakuza backing from Japan and loaded to the gills with money to burn. If Xaoping Exports is allowed to take over Tsang Wei, they would be in a market position to slowly absorb every business interest Guyton has in the region. With the skilled engineers from Tsang Wei working for them exclusively, Xaoping’s investors would throw money at Hong Kong until they were the only company left.”

When she was done speaking, Aurora looked around the table to see Adrian staring at her with his jaw slack while Andrew Guyton sported a huge grin.

“Flipping genius, Precious! I hope you’ve learned something, son. You see why I take her everywhere?” he asked turning to Adrian. He nodded slowly, still a little shocked at Aurora’s display of knowledge. “So tell me, what’s your plan? I’m sure you have one by now.”

She smiled at her boss and took her phone from her pocket, quickly skimming over their schedules before replying.

“Seeing as how Alan has completely fucked it for everyone and everything Guyton in Hong Kong right now, it’s too risky for any of us to fly there to try and settle things down. I suggest that we send a plane for Lu Wei immediately. Bring him to our own turf in Alpharetta and get him to negotiate a deal with us first.”

She paused and there were nods of approval all around the room.

“That would mean cutting the weekend short, wouldn’t it, Precious?”

“I don’t think that’s necessary, Mr. Guyton. You said Lu Wei has high values. I’d assume he is a family man as well?”

“Two children and a wife of fourteen years.”

“Perfect! I’m willing to bet that with his busy schedule and demanding lifestyle, they don’t get much family time.”

“What are you getting at, Aurora?” Adrian asked impatiently.

She shot him a look and then cleared her throat before continuing. “I say we send G4 for him tonight. Mr. Guyton, you would have to get back on the phone with him and let him know you’re inviting him over and that you have a special treat planned for him and his family this weekend before we meet bright and early Monday in Alpharetta. Have the plane take them to Paris for a mini vacation. Hotel on the Champs Elysees, spa day for Mom and daughter, the launch of the International regatta for father and son, followed by some guided sightseeing and picnic lunch beneath the Eiffel Tower and of course shopping for all. By the time they get to Georgia, Lu Wei will be convinced that Guyton values are as solid as a rock and that we don’t dabble in anything that’s not above board.”

“Brilliant!” Andrew exclaimed. “Plan it and get it done, Aurora. I’ll get on the phone right away.”

“Wait a minute!” Aaron protested. “How much is this going to cost exactly? There’s no way we can possible afford to do...”

“What the hell are you talking about, boy? Who can’t afford it? I’d hope you’re talking about yourself because the last time I checked, I don’t pay you enough for that. What I do pay you for is to sign the checks that make things happen for this company, so you’re gonna sign whatever checks Aurora needs you to sign. Understood?”

Aaron nodded, stunned, while Andrew turned to Aurora.

“Set up as much as you can on account; hotels and such. Then arrange a prepaid debit card for their shopping. Forgetting about the cost of the plane, try not to spend more than a half mil; we have to keep this lucrative after all.”

When Andrew dismissed them, they all went back down the hall toward the study. Aurora was fist bumping while Aaron gave her looks of exasperation.

***

When she stepped through the doors, Aurora promptly announced that she would be taking her leave of them.

“I have to get back to the hotel and wrap this thing up for tomorrow. Rebecca should have found some more out about the case and I’ll be eager to get started on the next phase just in case we don’t get the mistrial.”

“Thank you so much for coming, Aurora,” Aaron said, shaking her hand.

“It's my pleasure, Aaron,” she replied.

“I’ll walk you out,” Adrian blurted out quickly.

She had wanted to avoid that. After the conversation she had just had with him, it was akin to the walk of shame for her. Outside, Aurora hit a button on the remote and the trunk opened up; she laid her briefcase inside and closed it. Adrian was holding her door open and giving the car a once over.

“You have great taste in cars,” he said.

She smiled when he said it; she had been enjoying it and she knew that it sent the exact message she intended. Tough as nails, sexy, professional, independent woman and a lover of fine things.

“What can I say, Adrian? This company has always been good to me and I’m never short of little perks like this to keep me interested.”

She laughed at the joke and Adrian joined in. When she regained composure, he was staring at her again and she still didn’t know what to do about it. Suddenly, Adrian took her by the hand and pulled her in for a hug. He pulled back and looked in her eyes.

“I’m sorry for what I said to you back there, Aurora I hope you can forgive me. I feel like I’ve known you for a hundred years and yet ever since I met you formally yesterday, you just keep showing me that I have no idea who you are.” He paused, then pulled her close again and whispered in her ear, “I’d like to get to know such things.”

Just then Adrian bent to kiss her and quickly Aurora turned her head so his lips met her cheek. He was surprised by her action, but she quickly defended it.

“Adrian, you’re my boss’ son. Probably even my next boss. It’s unethical for us to be involved emotionally. Think of what that would do if it ever got out.”

“You’re right. I’m so sorry, Aurora.”

Aurora Aldridge couldn’t help herself at that point; she burst out laughing while Adrian stood there watching her awkwardly.

“What’s so funny?” he finally asked.

“I just heard the hypocrisy in my own words just then.”

Adrian nodded. He knew only too well what she was referring to and the crimson blush rose in his cheeks. Aurora blushed at his reaction and turned her gaze to the ground to avoid any awkward embarrassment.

“I’m sorry about trying to kiss you. Aurora; it won’t happen again.”

“Thank you Adrian. Listen, I’ll talk to you later and let you know how it went in chambers.”

“Okay, thanks again.”

Aurora closed the car door and drove off down the driveway, leaving Adrian looking at the tail lights. When she was through the gates, he turned and walked back into the house.

***

The phone rang loudly from its cradle on the living room side table and it was accompanied by its little friends placed conveniently around the entire suite, even in the bathroom. Aurora grabbed the receiver, swearing at herself for not remembering to turn down the ringer.

“Aurora?”

“Yes, Rebecca. It’s me.”

“Aurora, I just got word that the D.A.’s office filed a motion yesterday to postpone today’s meeting in Judge Remington’s chambers. I think they’re trying to counter the bogus evidence we found.”

“That sounds about right, but what could they possibly have that we don’t already know about?”

“I don’t know.”

“Rebecca, the day is almost done now. We have to move fast even though it’s pretty obvious that Alan’s spending the weekend in jail. Maybe that’s for the better. File a motion of disclosure right away. By law, they’re required to disclose everything they have on our client to us as long as we request it in its entirety. I’m sure they didn’t expect us to find out about the postponement in order to buy themselves extra time.”

“I’ll do that right away.”

“We don’t have any time to lose, Rebecca. File it and call me right back.”

“Yes, Miss Aldridge.”

Aurora hung up the phone and thought for a while. If there was more evidence, the disclosure would take care of that but she couldn’t help thinking that there might be something they had overlooked. She closed her eyes and took a mental stock of everything they had so far on the case. It all seemed quite adequate and then it dawned on her. It had all fallen into place so seamlessly, both Aurora and Rebecca had forgotten the cardinal rule of criminal law: Do your own investigation. When it got right down to brass tacks, the only question they needed to answer irrefutably was who had set Alan up. She picked up her cell phone and speed dialed Rebecca’s number.

“The police found flash drives with stolen corporate information in Alan’s office, right?”

“Yeah, they did.”

“Okay. So the question we need to answer as soon as possible is: Who put them there? I could bet big money that whoever did it knows something about who’s behind this nonsense with Alan.”

“Hmmm. You could have something there, Aurora.”

Chapter Six

“Everything is in place for Lu Wei’s visit, Mr. G. They should be out and about in Paris as we speak and they’ll be on their way to Atlanta tomorrow. I’ve got them coming in fairly early so that they have time to recover from any jet lag. Monday’s shaping up to be a busy day.”

Great work as usual, Aurora. Will we be seeing you today?”

Golf’s not really my cup of tea, Mr. G. I’ve got some work to do to help Rebecca and Caplan prepare for chambers on Monday, and there’s the issue of Alan being moved to Alpharetta for holding. He’ll be under house arrest until there’s a ruling.”