Page 100 of Fake Dating Mr. Prince

“You’re right, but at this point, how would we even know who?”

“I’ve briefed the head of security, Roni, about what occurred. She’s going to go over the camera footage from the past few weeks. While we don’t have them in individual offices, they are out in the corridors. Once we see who’s going in and out of your office, we should be able to narrow it down.

A chill ran through my body.

There was no way to ignore the number of times Ashlyn had been in my office. Dad knew we’d met again when she started cleaning here. I had very little time before my father found out the truth.

I wanted to shield Ashlyn and myself from the fallout, but I didn’t think I could outright lie to my father. If Dad asked me about her involvement, I’d have to be truthful and say I suspected her.

The pleading of her innocence tugged at my conscience. Until now, she’d never lied to me. At least not that I was aware. Yet I still couldn’t come up with a reason for her part in this deception. I’d already given her half the money, and she was due to get the rest when our relationship ended.

“Dean? Are you listening to me?” Dad’s concerned gaze was pinned to me.

“Yeah, sorry, I was thinking about what you said about security.”

He didn’t look convinced, but didn’t push me for more. I hadn’t told him I’d broken things off with Ashlyn yet. “I want you to meet with Roni to see if you can help review the footage. Normally, we’d have the whole team on it, but since we’re keeping this quiet, she can’t do it all on her own.”

“Sure. Now?” My temples throbbed. There was no way to hide things if Roni was involved. Ashlyn had been in my office almost every night she’d worked.

“Yes, Dean, now. This is our top priority. Anything else you’re in the middle of can wait.”

“Right. I’m on it.”

“Great. Roni will meet you in your office. I figured it would allow us some privacy.”

***

THE WALK TO MY OFFICEwas as tortuous as the time I had to tell my mother I’d broken an antique vase while playing ball in the house.

My feet dragged as I got closer and noticed Roni waiting for me outside the door. She stood ramrod straight, her chestnut hair in a tight braid hanging down her back. Roni had taken over from the last guy in charge about five years earlier.

“Hey, Roni.”

“Mr. Prince.” She nodded, acknowledging me.

“You know you can call me Dean. We’ve been over this a hundred times.”

“And you know I won’t.”

I gestured for her to enter before me. With a raised eyebrow and a slight pause as though she would refuse, she entered the room. My good manners did not impress her in the slightest.

“Why don’t you shut the door,” she said as she sat down on the nearby couch. I did as she asked and sat in the chair across from her.

“You’re looking awfully serious, Roni.” Had she figured out Ashlyn's role in this already? Roni was more astute than most people I knew. “Did you figure out who did it?”

She crossed her arms. “What do you think, Dean?”

Her evasiveness had me on edge. “No?”

She sighed. “Let’s be frank. Ido notlike wasting my time.”

“I understand.”

“I’m not sure you do.” Her unflinching gaze made me want to look away. “Did Ashlyn steal the designs?”

I wasn’t sure what to say. Her immediate confrontation put me off-guard. “Why? Do you suspect her?”

“I run security here, Dean. It’s my job to notice things. Such as who has recently been added to our ‘do not admit’ list.”