A year passed quicker than I expected. Work was relentless—I traveled constantly and never had the chance to spy on my pretty Payton the way I wanted. But her photo stayed with me everywhere I went, tucked in my bags, in my mind.
Then Elizabeth finally showed up with the news I’d been dying to hear: she was officially with Richard now, distracting him in every possible way.
Months later, a report Eric handed me changed everything. The company Payton worked for was in free fall. Profits had been declining for years, debts were piling up, and investors were quietly slipping away. And the employees had no idea how bad it had gotten.
This was the opportunity I have been waiting for. To finally be with Payton.
All I needed to do was invest enough to take control—which I did.
Within weeks
