Over Before She Loved Me novel · Chapter 22 of 24

Chapter 22: Thirty-Six Million No

In March, at thirty-six weeks, Joelle sat in the back row of the boardroom with a pillow behind her spine.

She had refused every offer to stay home.

Maureen sat on one side of her with a thermos.

Dolores sat on the other, in a plain navy dress, with her hands folded.

At the head of the walnut table Dustin stood with a folder open in front of him.

Across from him sat a man in a charcoal suit and a polite smile.

"Harrowgate Holdings offers ninety million dollars for Rayburn Builders," the man said. "Cash, at closing."

The partners shifted in their chairs.

Ninety million was twice what anyone in the room had thought the firm was worth.

"The offer requires the board's approval," the man went on, "and the approval of the forty percent holder."

"That's me," Dustin said.

"It is. Mr. Rayburn, you'd walk away with thirty-six million dollars personally."

"I heard the number."

"And a senior role in our London office."

Joelle's hands closed on her knees.

London again.

"I'd like to introduce our local adviser," the man said. "He's been invaluable in the process."

The side door opened.

Barrett Coyle walked in wearing a navy suit with no tie and no pin.

Nobody at the table moved.

He did not look at Dustin.

He did not look at Joelle.

He sat at the far end, folded his hands and stared at the table.

"He isn't a lawyer anymore," a partner said.

"He's an adviser," Harrowgate's man said smoothly. "Not an attorney."

Dustin's voice stayed calm.

"Barrett."

"Dustin."

"Whose idea was this?"

"Mine," Barrett said, very quietly. "You'd have the money. You'd go to London. You'd have what you wanted two years ago."

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