The Runaway Bride Is Marrying His Billionaire Boss novel · Chapter 18 of 24

Chapter 18: The Rest of It

Laurence looked at me.

I nodded, and his head of security touched the screen.

The picture stayed black.

A clock in the corner read 9:12 p.m., on the night after I ran.

There was a creak of leather, and a glass set down on wood.

My father's study.

I knew the sound of that desk.

"The Lannings want their forty thousand back, Marlene." It was my father's voice, hoarse. "They want the wedding fund returned by Friday."

"Then return it."

"I can't. It went on payroll in March. I had no choice, the milk contracts were late and the drivers hadn't been paid in a month."

"So it's gone."

"It's gone."

Two hundred and fifty people sat in the dark and listened to my father say it.

I did not look at him.

"Then it went with Delaney," Marlene said.

"What?"

"She ran with it. That's what happened. A girl who walks out of her own wedding takes the cash with her." There was the click of a pen. "I've written you a withdrawal slip. You'll sign her name."

"I can't forge my own daughter's name."

"You'll print it. Slowly. Like a girl who is nervous and careful. I've seen how she writes her D's, so don't loop it."

"Marlene."

"Sheldon, listen to me."

It was the soft voice she used when she wanted to be believed.

"The bank holds Anne's third of the dairy as collateral. You pledged it in March, yourself, and a trustee is not allowed to do that."

"I know."

"If it comes out, the bank calls the whole loan, and they take everything. There is only one way Anne's will can never matter. Delaney must never marry."

I felt Laurence's hand close on mine under the table.

"She'll marry someday," my father said.

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