They were surprisingly good for an 8-year-old. Detailed pictures of flowers, houses, and what appeared to be superhero characters. These are beautiful, Sophie. You’re very talented. Sophie beamed. Thank you. I like to draw. Daddy says I get it from my mom, but I don’t really remember her very much. She left when I was little. But that’s okay because Daddy says some people aren’t meant to be parents, and the people who stay are the ones who really love you.

Rachel’s eyes flicked to Jack, who was carefully not looking at them, focused intently on wiping down the already clean counter. She wondered how many times he’d had to explain his ex-wife’s abandonment to his daughter. How many times he’d had to spin a painful truth into something a child could understand without feeling rejected.

Your daddy is very wise, Rachel said softly. I know, Sophie agreed matterofactly. He’s the smartest person I know, except maybe for my teacher, Mrs. Patterson. But she’s really old, so she’s had more time to learn things. Daddy, can Miss Morgan stay for pancakes tomorrow? That’s up to Miss Morgan, baby girl.

She has her own life to get back to. Rachel looked between father and daughter and felt the weight of her real world pressing in. I should probably head back to San Francisco today. I have a lot to sort out. Do you have to? Sophie’s face fell. I was going to show you my room. I have a telescope that daddy got me for my birthday, and I know all the constellations.

Well, not all of them, but most of the important ones. And Mr. Hopscotch really likes you. He doesn’t usually like new people, but he told me this morning that you’re nice. Sophie, Jack said gently. Ms. Morgan is a very busy lady. She runs a huge company with lots of people depending on her.

But you said yesterday that helping people is more important than being busy, Sophie protested. and Miss Morgan needs help because that mean man was hurting her. So, shouldn’t we keep helping? Rachel felt her throat tighten at the simple logic of a child who saw the world in such clear terms. People needed help, so you helped them. There were no calculations about inconvenience or risk, no weighing of obligations against desires, just pure, uncomplicated compassion.

Sophie has a point, Jack said, and Rachel caught the hint of a smile playing at his lips. though. I think what she’s really saying is that she likes having you here and isn’t ready to say goodbye yet. Is it okay to say that? Sophie asked, looking worried. Daddy always says I should be honest about my feelings, but also that I shouldn’t make people feel bad.

Am I making you feel bad? Miss Morgan. Not at all, Rachel said, and was surprised to find it was true. Actually, it’s one of the nicest things anyone has said to me in a long time. Then you’ll stay. Sophie’s face lit up with hope. I Rachel started then stopped. What was she rushing back to really? A company in crisis? A board that didn’t trust her? A fiance who had assaulted her in public? The penthouse she called home but had never felt like one.

I need to make some phone calls first. Fig figure out what kind of damage control needs to happen. You can use my phone, Jack offered. And the guest room is yours as long as you need it. No pressure, no expectations, but Sophie’s right. Sometimes the best thing to do is slow down and let yourself heal before jumping back into chaos.

Rachel nodded, accepting Jack’s phone and retreating to the guest room for privacy. Her first call was to Laura Chen, her executive assistant and the only person at Morgan Technologies Rachel truly trusted. Laura answered on the first ring, her voice tight with worry. Hello, Laura. It’s Rachel. Oh, thank God. Laura breathed.

Rachel, what the hell happened? I’ve been trying to call you for hours. There are reports about some incident at Newark airport. And when you didn’t show up for this morning’s conference call with the Tokyo investors, everyone started freaking out. Richard’s been in my office three times asking where you are. And Andrew, she paused. Andrew’s lawyers called.

They’re claiming you had some kind of breakdown and that Andrew was trying to help you when you became violent. Rachel closed her eyes, feeling the walls closing in. Of course, Andrew would spin it that way. Of course, he’d get ahead of the narrative. Laura, I need you to listen carefully. I’m fine physically, I mean, but I need you to do something for me, and I need you to do it quietly. Anything. You know that.

I need you to pull all of Andrew’s financial transactions through the company for the last 18 months. Not the public-f facing stuff, the actual detailed records, expense reports, wire transfers, consulting fees, everything. And I need you to look specifically for anything involving Richard or any of the board members who’ve been pushing for the merger with KFax Tech.

There was a pause on the other end of the line. Rachel, if you’re looking for what I think you’re looking for, I need to warn you that Andrew has a lot of protection built into his position. He’s CFO. He has board approval for most of his actions. And I know, Rachel interrupted. But I also know Andrew. He’s smart, but he’s arrogant.

He thinks he’s untouchable. He’s going to have made a mistake somewhere, left a trail. I need you to find it. Okay, Laura said slowly. But Rachel, this is going to take time. And if Andrew finds out I’m digging into his finances, he won’t find out. Tell anyone who asks that you’re doing routine audit prep.

Use your personal laptop, not the company system. And Laura, send everything to my personal email, not the company one. I don’t trust that Andrew doesn’t have access to it. Where are you right now? Are you safe? Rachel looked around the small guest room with its handmade quilt and simple furnishings. Yeah, she said softly.

👉 [Tap here for Next Part] 👈