Page 16 of Beautiful Lies

“I’m sure you have. I just hope things will be straightforward.”

“It will, and in the end, I’ll have my hands on the restaurant and clearly defined terms for dissolving the marriage.”

“I got to hand it to you; you’re a better man than me.” He gives me a slow clap, and I bow like I’m accepting an award.

“I do what I have to do.”

Dorian props himself against the desk, casting a look over his shoulder at Isla’s photo on the screen. “I suppose you haven’t heard anything more from yourbelovedor her people.”

“No, I didn’t expect to. William would’ve done his part. The rest is up to mybeloved.” The word feels strange on my tongue but has a satisfying ring in my ears.

“You seem confident she’ll sign without a hitch.”

“I am.” I grin back. “And once I have that contract, I can’t wait to meet with the board.”

A ruthless grin brightens his eyes. “Those fuckers are in for a wild surprise.”

“They certainly are.” I swirl what’s left of my coffee and down it, letting the bitterness settle on my tongue.

The board are the bane of my existence. With the exception of family, there are thirteen members.

Although I bring in millions every year, they can’t stand me. Because I can’t be controlled. Neither can my brothers.

The board don’t like them, either; their ideas are too modern, too bold. Yet those same ideas are the reason Vale Global dominates the market.

If it were up to me, only people with the surnameValewould sit at that table. But my great-grandfather’s inheritance came with strings attached: a permanent board to give us “credibility.” He believed any company dealing with the kind of money that goes through our hands needed the illusion of oversight to appease auditors and regulators.

I agree, in theory. In practice, it’s a shit show masquerading as power. Power my father still gives away too damn freely in the name of credibility. Granted, having a lineup of notable names helped during the scandal. But most days, it feels like it’s us against them.

Dorian pushes off the desk, the humor fading from his face. “At least you’re in Dad’s good book.”

“And you aren’t?”

“He’s still mad at me for how I handled the Swain contract. He thinks I should have given them a discount, even though they could more than afford it. He’s also pissed I told those reporters who did the exclusive on us to fuck the hell off.”

“Well, that was on national TV, Dorian. Of course, Dad is mad.”

We both laugh.

“You have a point. But there’s more. He spoke to me this morning. I guess you’ve put the wheels in motion for the next level.”

From the look he gives me, I guess Dad told him about England. “He had the talk with you?”

“He did, and he thinks I make the company look bad.”

“No more than I did.” I smirk.

“That wasn’t your fault. My case is a little different. I won’t change who I am. But I’m sure Dad will make it difficult for me.” He exhales a heavy sigh. “He says if I’m to lead the company at your side, I need to shape up.”

“Shape up? And do what?”

“Your guess is as good as mine, but I’m sure he’ll enlighten me soon enough.”

The phone on my desk rings. I glance at the screen. Its Melinda, my secretary. She never calls me at this time, unless it’s an emergency.

I hit the button to answer, my gaze still on the screen. “Yes, Melinda?”

“I’m so sorry. There’s a woman on her way to see you. I told her she needed to make an appointment, but she wouldn’t listen.”