“The photographer will be ready in an hour. We’re going off-site,” Jennifer says before she leaves my office, Lance following her.

“We’ll be ready.” I close the door behind them. It’s just Ashlyn and me. The way it should be. I’ve learned a lot about myself in the past three years. From being blinded by work and trust, to believing if you did the right thing, worked hard, played by the rules, and were honest, everything would work out. I know that’s not the case, that’s not how the world works. I’m not naive. Not anymore.

“Mom, she’s still here, though. What do we do?” Ashlyn asks.

“Don’t worry. I’ve got this. She won’t know what hit her. Stay here. I’ll be right back.” I walk out of my office and head to the back of the building to find Tish’s new, tiny office. It’s a closet, and I love it.

“What do you want?” Tish asks, her voice cold.

I’m not afraid. “Here are some facts for you to consider. I control seventy percent of the company, and there is no place for you at EventCo. Never will be. I suggest you take whatever is rightfully yours after three years of marriage and get out of town.”

“You don’t scare me.” Tish stands up. “Get out of my office.”

She just doesn’t get it. Stupid is as stupid does, that’s the saying, right? “By the way, you look horrible. Killers have trouble sleeping, I’ve read.” A low blow, but it’s true. Guilty conscience leads to haunting dreams.

“Get out!”

I’m already down the hall.

CHAPTER 53

TISH

Who is threatening me? Who put that stupid photo on John’s computer? And why did I agree to relocate to this bleak office in the back of the building? No windows. I mean, this is not fitting for my position.

John’s office is a mess, that’s why. I’ll let them clean it up, and I’ll order new furniture. Then I’ll move in. This squalid closet is temporary. I need to call George.

Someone stands in the doorway.

Ashlyn. Why hasn’t she learned her lesson yet?

“Why did you tip over Dad’s desk?” She looks at me, all innocent, like she’s never had a fit of rage in her life. I know she has, though, but her anger is more like her mom’s. Hiding away under the surface. She’d never demean herself with a public display like mine. In that sense, she is her mother’s daughter.

I drop my head and look at my hands. I have no one to blame but myself for my outburst. Someone will need to be summoned to clean up glass, to stand the desk back up. That thing is heavy. I know. I’m surprised I toppled it. Adrenaline is a powerful thing. So am I.

“Someone burglarized my office, so I had a little temper tantrum. I guess those CrossFit sessions are paying off.” I chuckle, an attempt at humor. It falls flat. I remember crumpling the threatening note and throwing it on the floor. I need to go get that. It’s evidence.

“Excuse me.”

I push past Ashlyn and hurry toward John’s office. I turn the doorknob, but it’s locked. I gave Lance the key. I can see through the glass door, though. The note I tossed on the floor is gone.

Why is Ashlyn following me?

My phone vibrates. I pull it out of my back pocket. I need to get out of here. I’m not coming back until I have a proper office. Proper respect.

It’s a text from George. Have confirmation from court. Motion was filed by daughter. Don’t worry. Stay strong.

Oh, I’m strong. That’s not a problem, Uncle George.

I turn around and face Ashlyn. I drop my voice to a menacing whisper. “I know what you did. Contesting the will. My will. You’d better stop following me. You better stop getting in my way. Do you understand? Here. And at home. I’m on to you. Don’t push me. Your car was just a warning shot. You know what I’m capable of doing. Cheers.”

As Ashlyn scampers away, I feel the menial office workers staring at me. I don’t know some of their names, never really cared to learn, but they know me. Know who I am.

“What?” I bark at two young women leaning against a wall as I turn the corner. They both jump, and that pleases me.

Sandra appears like a sentry as I reach the front offices. Running interference for Kate, I assume.

“Look, I need to speak to Jennifer. Is she in with Kate? I can talk to both of them.” My hands are on my hips. I’m not backing down.

“You’ll need to meet with her next week. I’m afraid they’ve all left for an off-site photo shoot. It’s quite exciting. They’re posing for a national magazine, a feature about the mother and daughter duo who will lead EventCo into its bright future after the untimely death of the CEO. It’s for a big national magazine.”

How dare they do this without me? I am the second Mrs. Nelson, part of the family. I feel tears fill my eyes and push them away. I don’t even understand how Kate can own 70 percent of the company when I got John’s half? I’ll need to ask George. I need someone to help me.

“I should be in that photo session. I’m leading this company into the future. I’m co-president. Tell me where the shoot is.”

Sandra tilts her head. “I can’t do that. Why don’t you see Nancy, Kate’s assistant, to make an appointment?”

“I’ll get in whenever I want. I’m co-president.” Are people dense? Do I need to print copies of the will and show it to everyone? I don’t care what Kate says or what fancy math she’s trying to use, I own half.

Sandra speaks again. “Your title is not co-president. The new will didn’t stipulate a position. It just provided you with ownership. There really is no reason for you to be here. You don’t have a job. You resigned as an assistant, remember? But if you insist on coming in, that’s where you’ll be. Back in the closet. Understood?”

“Whatever.” I am so mad right now, I could punch her. Hard.

“Oh, and I’ve opened a file on you. An employee has charged you with harassment. We take those allegations seriously here at EventCo.”

“I’m not going to forget this.” I can’t help it. I’m pointing my finger at her. “Someone threatened me. What are you going to do about that? Nothing, right? I’ll go get the proof, and then you’d better do something. Investigate or else.”

“Are you trying to frighten me?” She takes a step back.

“I’m simply reminding you that I’m your boss. So, you should be more accommodating, do you understand? And when I’m being threatened, you should care.”

Sandra shakes her head. “So now you’re being threatened?”

“Someone left a note in my desk drawer.” I drop my voice. “Was it you? Did you leave that note in John’s desk?”

“You need to leave. Go back to Pineville, Terry Jane.” Sandra turns and before I know it, she’s closing her office door, stranding me in the hallway.

She just threw my past in my face and walked away from me. She doesn’t know what she’s stirring, the pot she’s messing with. This all may be her doing. She is the HR officer. She can rummage through anyone’s desk with impunity. But somehow, I don’t think she’s my only problem. All of these people are going to pay. No more nice Tish. I pull my phone out of my back pocket and call George as I walk back to my tiny closet of an office.

“I’m going to take them all down. I don’t care if I lose money, too. I want them all to suffer.”

George blows out a breath. “You need to calm down, honeybunch. Right now.”

That’s the last thing I need. One more person telling me what to do. “Just be sure you’ve covered everything. Make certain I’m secure in all of this. Make sure there is no crack in that will. Do you understand? Kate can’t win.” I hang up on George before I hear his reply. He’d better have my back.

I’ve changed my mind. Instead of running this place, I will ruin it.

CHAPTER 54

KATE

A photo shoot is the last thing I feel like doing, but at least it gets Ashlyn and me away from the menace masquerading as an employee and wrecking John’s office. Two can play the media game, Tish, but only one of us has done it before. And I’m good at it, despite being forced into this photo shoot long before I would have chosen to push my daughter into the media spotlight.

But it’s fine. If it’s good for EventCo, I’m in. We’ll prove to the investors that despite John’s death, we’re stronger than ever. The magazine also gets the exclusive about our new Forever product. I’m beyond excited to roll it out.

Once Sandra had escorted Tish to the back, I went into John’s office and tidied up, as much as I could. I found the note I’d left in the desk drawer crumpled up and tossed on the floor. I slipped it into my pocket. Maybe the note did it, or maybe it was the screen saver? Either way, her reaction made me smile.

What are a couple of little threats among friends?

I’m still surprised how well it worked.

It’s silly, but every once in a while, it feels good to be a step ahead of your enemy. From the looks of the office destruction, she got the message.

I am back in my office by the time Jennifer and Ashlyn appear outside of my door.

“Ready for the shoot?” Jennifer asks.

“Give me ten minutes,” I say. “Ashlyn, can we chat in private?”

My daughter needs to understand the importance of everything that has happened today. I will make sure she does.

CHAPTER 55