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“Listen carefully, Richard. I’m only going to say this once.” It’s the first time I’ve heard her use his first name. “The only reason you’re not being dragged out in handcuffs right now is because I will not allow Liam, August, or myself to pay for your mistakes. We’ve done everything you’ve asked, and you went behind our backs.” Her gaze is cutting as she speaks. “Here’s what’s going to happen. You will sign on the dotted line and get the hell out of here. And if youevercontact me or anyone else that matters to me, Dawson will make sure you never see the light of day again.”
Dawson has his arms folded across his chest, his lips curving into a sickly-sweet smile.
“You can’t do this to me, I’m your father,” Richard sputters with false bravado.
“No, you’re nothing but a coward,” Everly retorts. “A father protects and supports his family. He doesn’t use them for his own financial gain. You lost the right to call yourself my dad a long time ago. It just took me a while to come to terms with it.”
I blink rapidly, my heart swelling with pride, as I watch my determined wife stand up to the man who’s mistreated her for years. The unyielding fire in her eyes is a testament to her inner strength and resolve to never let him intimidate her again.
Richard’s eyes dart between Liam and August, looking for support that’s not coming.
“Are you going to sit there and let this happen after everything I’ve done for you both?” he demands, his voice rising with each word.
Liam lets out a humorless laugh. “What have you ever done for us? You’ve overworked us while taking all the credit and have taken advantage of our mom since the day you got married. Give it up, Richard. It’s over.”
As it happens, Liam and August’s mom filed for divorce last week after she caught him trying to withdraw a substantialsum from her bank account.
Dawson slides a stack of documents across the table toward Richard. “This is your only opportunity,” he warns. “If you don’t sign, the deal disappears, and I’ll make sure law enforcement is here before you can walk out the front door.”
We all watch with tense anticipation while Richard reads through and signs each document. With each passing minute, his face flushes crimson, betraying his growing agitation. When he finishes signing the last page, he throws the pen down in fury.
“I hope you’re satisfied knowing you’ve robbed a man of his livelihood,” he spits in anger.
Harrison clenches his jaw. “No, Richard, you did that to yourself. You’re lucky I gave you anything at all. Now get out of here. You’re no longer welcome at any Stafford or Townstead building.”
Richard’s expression hardens into a mask of resentment. “I hope you’re happy,” he snarls, his gaze pointed directed at Everly.
“I am. Now, get out,” she states with finality as she points to the door.
Richard shoves his chair back, storming out and slamming the conference room door behind him.
“Damn, Everly, that was impressive.” August gives her a round of applause. “Thank god that’s finally over.”
Everly sinks into her seat, sighing in relief.
I place my hand on her knee. “Are you okay?”
She nods. “Never been better,” she assures me with a soft smile.
“That was hot as fuck,” I whisper in her ear.
“I’ve been waiting for the right moment to confront him,” Everly says. “It felt good to finally have the chance.”
Harrison walks over to Dawson, offering him a terse nod. “Thanks for your help.”
It’s almost painful watching them interact. None of my friends are this formal, even when they’re doing business. But then again, when they’re both grumpy billionaire workaholics who don’t know how to have any fun, or maybe they do?
Harrison pulls a white envelope from his suit pocket and hands it to Dawson.
“Your sister-in-law seemed to have everything under control at the end there.” Dawson gestures toward Everly as he puts the envelope in his briefcase. “My paralegal will deliver these documents to the Townstead lawyers and file the paperwork by the end of the day.”
On his way out, he glances back at Harrison. “Don’t forget, you and your brothers owe me two favors—one for this and one for Landon.”
Everly’s brows knit together in confusion.
“I’ll explain once we’re alone,” I promise her.
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