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Preston rushed to my side, taking one look at his uncle who desperately tried to plead with him, but Preston punched him so hard in the jaw, blood started trickling down his lips.
“I hope you know you’re out of a job,” said William.
I looked up to see that Jamie had joined us now, and I was surprised to see he didn’t look angry after all. He smiled at me, nodding like he was proud.
“She’s not out of a job, Will. If anything, she’s going to see that promotion I promised her. We’ve been friends a long time, but you couldn’t possibly expect me to go along with this. Have fun in jail, bud.”
The cops swarmed, taking William away in handcuffs, and I finally had a moment alone with Preston before I’d have to process all of the paperwork that would soon ensue.
“For a moment I thought that you are like all the others… that you are going to betray me. You scared me big time, Kat.”
“I know, but if I would’ve told you, you would’ve tried to stop me. The world needed to know what William was doing before he had a chance to destroy any of the evidence against him. I did what I had to do to protect you. I’m just glad to know that you really are a good guy,” I said.
“I may have been shitty to you in the past, but if there’s one thing I can say it’s that I never lied to you. Thank you for everything, Kat. You’re the reason I still have everything. Above all, I have you.”
He caressed my cheek, lifting my chin, kissing me hard. It felt so good to not have to hide anymore. We could finally be together, we could finally have everything we both wanted. It was quite a wild ride getting accustomed to how things worked in his world, but it made me feel good to know that he wasn’t the typical Manhattan shark. He wasn’t out for blood like the rest of his business associates. He did good business, and he did it right. You’re really something, Preston Clarke. Now, it’s time for you to show the world what you’re really capable of.
Preston and I sat in the conference room, watching all of the board members file in. They all looked so glum, like they just had their asses handed to them, and it made me feel incredible. I knew they were dragging Preston through the mud, siding with William because they’d convinced themselves that he was right all along. Now that has changed, it’s given Kingsman Enterprises a fresh start, and it will certainly become Preston’s legacy.
“Thank you all for coming. I know we’ve had quite an eventful morning, but I hope you can see now that trying to remove me as head of the company wasn’t the right move. The man you trusted, the man that you believed would keep this company on the path to success was the one robbing you blind. I have Katherine here to take you through the details so you know exactly what’s been going on,” said Preston.
I cleared my throat, telling them about the investigation, the Newmont, the misplaced money, forged documents, and how badly William wanted to hide it all so he could get what he wanted. With every new detail that came to light, some that were left out of the press conference entirely, the board members sat there looking absolutely shocked.
“How long has this been going on for?”
“Since Mr. Clarke senior passed away. Mr. Wolfe managed to keep everything hidden because he was in charge of Mr. Clarke’s affairs before Preston was welcomed into the company. Now, he’ll be rotting in jail for a very long time once his trial is complete,” I told them.
“Preston. I-I don’t know what to say-”
“It’s okay, Bart. Let’s just remember this the next time you want to boot me out over dinner, huh?”
Once the meeting concluded, it was just Preston and I. He slid his rolling chair close to mine, running his fingertips along my cheek, kissing me softly. I pulled away for a moment to look around and make sure no one was watching, but that was when I remembered that we didn’t have to hide anymore.
“Old habits die hard, huh?”
“Yes, they do,” I said, smiling.
“Kat, I just want to thank you again for doing this, I know that none of it could’ve been easy, especially because I imagine there was a time you thought I could’ve been guilty.”
“Even when William tried to lead me astray, I trusted my gut. My gut told me that even though you can be a little rough around the edges, you’re certainly not a criminal. Thank God for that. I don’t know what I would’ve done if I had to haul you off to jail.”
“Well, it’s a damn good thing you don’t, because now you get me all to yourself,” he said, teasingly.
He kissed me again and I relished in the comfort of all of our troubles finally being over. It was time I got to see Preston’s world without all of the scandal looming over us. It was time I got to learn about the man he really is. I want to know you, Preston. Everything about you. Everything you never got to say. Now, it’s time we begin again. Now, we finally have our chance.