Fugitive Millionaire Revenge (Fabian Cooper Book Two) (13 page)

“Nathan you’re aware that Gray’s will also gave me a fixed seat on the board representing the Cooper family interests.”

“Yeah, so? You have no power to get rid of me. It’s basically a token position.”

“A token position that gives me a lot of access to each board member.”

“Fabian, I’ve really gotta get back to work. I don’t need to hear about how important you think your board membership is.”

“I’ve been biding my time. Attending board meetings. Waiting for you to slip up and do something that gives me an opportunity make my move.”

“You’ll be waiting a long time, man. The board has found no fault in the way I’m running the company. Cooper Enterprises is going strong, thanks to me. And, I intend to be here for a very long time.”

“Like I said, Nathan. I was waiting for you to slip up and make a big mistake, and you did.”

What are you talking about?”

“Tsk tsk. Nathan, for a guy with such strong executive leadership skills, I’m surprised you’re so weak when it comes to controlling your baser instincts.”

“I’m still not getting what you’re talking about. Just get to the point, will you?”

“Kim Weldon. Beautiful trophy wife of Dick Weldon. You’re having a steamy hot affair with her, which is a problem because Dick is one of our esteemed and very much respected board members.”

“How do you know that?” Nathan responds, sounding somewhat panicked.

“I hired a private investigator to tail you after I suspected something going on between you and Kim. Man, you’ve got a weakness for trophy wives don’t you? First you ding Sloane and now you’re banging Kim behind Dick’s back. Geez.”

“You’re bluffing. You’re just trying to get me to say something to incriminate myself. Well, forget it. I’m not admitting to anything. In fact, you’re full of shit, Fabian.”

“I can tell when you’re scared, Nathan. You’re practically shitting your pants wondering what I’ve got on you and Kim. You wanna know what I got, Nathan? I’ve got plenty of juicy proof right here.”

Fabian opens his brown satchel and pulls out several large, glossy photos depicting Nathan and Kim doing various activities together. In one photo the two are kissing and holding hands. Another photo is very graphic. They are in a hotel bed having sex. Mike had taken that photo from a hotel room across the street. Mike’s photography skills are top notch. Other photos show the two lovers going in and out of hotel rooms and restaurants.

Fabian lays the photos in front of Nathan so he can see exactly what he’s facing.

Nathan turns ashen. “Shit. You son of a bitch.”

“Hate me now?”

“Why did you have these photos taken, Fabian? Are you trying to embarrass me into resigning? Was that your plan? Because if it is I’m not going along. I’ll admit that I’m seeing Kim. The sex is great, by the way. My relationship with Kim is a private matter that has no impact on my work performance.”

“See? That’s where you’re wrong, Nathan. I sat with the company attorney and went over every section of your contract. Your extracurricular activities with Kim Weldon violates the morals clause in your employment contract.”

“Morals clause?”

“You did read over your contract when you became president and CEO, right?”

“Yeah, but that was a long time ago. So, what if I am in violation of some morals clause? Gray’s will protects my ass from being fired for the next twenty years.”

“You’re wrong.” Fabian pulls out a copied page from Nathan’s employment contract. “You see it says right here that any violation of the morals clause makes this contract agreement null and void. Nathan, these photos prove beyond a reasonable doubt that you’ve violated this part of your contract with Cooper Enterprises. The board is within its legal rights to remove you from your position.”

Nathan gathers up the photos and heads for the door.

“Where are you going?”

“I’m going to shred these photos. Thanks for giving me a heads up.”

“Dick Weldon has a copy of those photos.”

Nathan spins around. “What?”

“I sent copies of those photos to Dick and all of the other board members. They also received a personal letter from me recommending that we vote to immediately dismiss you from the company.”

“You’re being serious, aren’t you?”

Fabian nods.

“You son of a bitch! You set me up. I can’t believe you did this to me.”

“I didn’t do this to you, Nathan. You did this to yourself.” Fabian realizes he’s echoing his father’s words.

Nathan comes back to his desk and plops down in his chair. He closes his eyes and swings his seat back and forth for a full minute. Fabian relaxes in his chair too. He has all the time in the world to wait for Nathan to realize he’s beat.

Nathan opens his eyes and slaps his hand on his desk with force. “I’ll fight this in court! You wanna play this game? Fine. It’s going to cost CE millions to get rid of me. I’ll speak to the board and convince them that it’s better to just let me stay than drag the company into a protracted, and very expensive legal tussle.”

“Suite yourself. I’ll counter your chess move with a move of my own. I’ll send copies of these racy photos to the New York tabloids. They’ll eat you up and spit you out. Kim and Dick hob knob with the rich and influential in this town. Dick’s firm has many celebrity clients. You’ll be at the center of a big, fat juicy scandal.”

“You wouldn’t.”

“I would. Wanna risk it?”

“You know I can’t. My reputation will be toast. Kim wouldn’t be happy about it either.”

“Cooper Enterprises will survive just fine without you. The company has lots of ambitious young executives eager to take on a challenge.”

By the look on Nathan’s face he finally accepts defeat. Nathan takes his executive pen and hurriedly scribbles his signature at the bottom of the letter. He hands it to Fabian. “Happy now? The only thing that makes this even a little tolerable is that twenty million severance pay deal.”

“Ten million. I suggested to the board that we should only give you half of the original amount.”

“Man, you really put the screws to me.”

“The one thing I learned from Gray that I always keep in the back of my mind is that if you’re going to do something go all the way in.”

“Yeah. I learned that too. I miss the old man.”

“Me too. Maybe things would have turned out differently for you if he had lived. Gray loved you so much he probably would have forgiven you eventually and let you take that leave of absence.”

“Nah. Gray would have kicked my ass like you’re doing now. I’ll just suck it up and deal with the reality that I’m no longer going to be working here. I’m really going to miss coming to this place everyday and living out my passion with a great bunch of people.”

“Nathan, I want you to know that kicking your ass like this doesn’t give me any joy. We used to be close like brothers. I’ll always treasure those times we had together. Really sad things turned out this way.”

“If we were still best bros, I’d ask you to come and have a drink with me. I’ve just resigned from the best job in the whole world. I need to go drown my sorrows in a large mug of beer. Come with me, Fabian. Maybe we can start patching things up between us over a few brews.”

“I can’t, Nathan. Our friendship is a casualty of your bad personal decisions. I could never trust you again like before. You understand, right?”

Nathan hangs his head. “Yeah. I blew it big time.”

Fabian places the resignation letter into a folder tucked inside of his satchel. “I’m sure you’ll bounce back after finding something else you enjoy doing. Good luck.”

Fabian walks out of the president’s executive office and out of Nathan Prewitt’s life.

Claire is in the midst of a small party Fabian is throwing to celebrate the Tribecca Film Festival premier of Finding Wonderland, the movie Fabian is producing. Cool hipsters from the indie film scene mingle with a few established actors, directors, producers and film buffs.

Fabian had been a bundle of nerves leading up to the movie’s first showing. However, he soon relaxed when he saw the audience reaction, which was overwhelmingly positive. He really needs this movie to do well in order to become established as a legitimate producer. So far, he and the movie’s director are off to a great start, being that this is the first big movie for both of them.

Right now Claire is standing off to the side, taking it all in. This is her new life and she’s loving it. Now, if she could just meet Robert De Niro that would be icing on the cake!

A beaming Fabian comes up to her with a twinkle in his eye. “Hello, beautiful. Are you hiding from me?”

“No, just standing here hanging out and enjoying it all. I’m so proud of you, babe.”

A cameraman starts filming Claire and Fabian. Claire isn’t sure what to make of this.

“Hey, what’s the deal with the camera? Are we making a documentary?”

Fabian squeezes her tightly. “Sort of. I want us to begin making our own movie right now.”

“Okay.” Claire waves to the camera. The camera guy signals that she should say something. “I’m Claire and this is Fabian. We’re really excited to be here celebrating Fabian’s first successful film as a producer. I can’t wait to be a producer too.”

Suddenly, Fabian drops down on one knee.

A rush of emotion flows through her entire body. “Oh my god.”

Fabian pulls a black ring box out of his jacket pocket. He opens it up, revealing a stunning diamond engagement ring.

Claire is beyond excited. She’s grinning like a fool. “Oh, honey…”

Fabian looks into Claire’s eyes. He too is filled with emotion. “Claire, sweetheart. You’re the love of my life and I want you by my side making lots of movies and babies in the future. Will you marry me?”

The camera guy kneels down to get her full reaction.

“Yes!” she blurts out.

Clapping and cheers rise up from the party guests.

Fabian and Claire embrace and kiss.

This truly is the beginning of an amazingly creative and loving partnership.

Thank you for reading Fugitive Millionaire Revenge. If you enjoyed Claire and Fabian’s story, take a moment to leave a review of this book. I really appreciate your support. Keep an eye out for more intriguing millionaire stories from me.