Page 95 of Forty, Flirty & Framed

The question catches me off guard, even though it's perfectly reasonable.

Anyone in Karina's position would wonder the same thing.

"The board felt it would be damaging to company reputation," I reply, the explanation sounding weak even to my own ears."The recovery of funds made criminal charges unnecessary from a financial perspective."

"That's a very practical answer."She tilts her head, those perceptive eyes seeing more than I'm comfortable with."But it doesn't explain why you specifically intervened.The board minutes show you personally recommended against pursuing legal action."

I stiffen."You've been reading confidential board minutes?"

"I'm preparing for potential questions at Connor's party.I needed context."She doesn't look remotely apologetic."You stopped the investigation personally.Why?"

I turn away, moving to study the timeline on the wall rather than meet her gaze.

The truth is, I'm not entirely sure myself.

The decision had felt necessary at the time, an instinctive reaction rather than a calculated choice.

"It's more complicated than just embezzlement," I say finally.

"Complicated how?"

"Richard is family."The words emerge stiff."And family matters aren't always straightforward."

"That's not an answer."

"It's the only one I have."

She stands, moving to join me at the timeline."I don't think that's true.I think there's more to this than you're saying—maybe more than you're even admitting to yourself."

I feel my jaw tighten."You're overstepping, Ms.Peters."

"Am I?"She doesn't back down."Callum, last night you had your hand in my underwear.I think we're past professional boundaries, and definitely past formalities."

The blunt reminder of our encounter cuts through my defenses.

She's right, of course.

The lines between us have blurred beyond recognition.

"My father lost everything when I was sixteen," I say abruptly."The family business, our estate, generations of heritage—all gone through poor investments and refusal to modernize."

"You mentioned that before."

I nod, keeping my eyes on the timeline."My mother left soon after.Couldn't handle the reduced circumstances.My father...didn't take it well."

"How 'not well'?"

"He drank."The admission comes reluctantly."Heavily.Richard was too young to really understand what was happening."

I fall silent, unsure why I'm telling her this, yet unable to stop now that I've started.

There's something compelling about Karina's presence, something that makes the reinforced walls around certain memories feel suddenly permeable.

"You protected him," she says softly."From the full truth."

"Someone had to."

I don't elaborate on what that truth entailed.