Page 86 of See You Maybe
“Kyle says you knew, and that you had him fired because you are still upset about the divorce.”
Olivia held on to her temper. “For the last time, I left Kyle because he is a horrible person. Full stop. He got himself fired because it took Declan two minutes to see Kyle is incompetent.”
Jessica huffed an angry breath. “Right. It has nothing to do with your ex-boyfriend stealing the company from my family.”
Olivia swallowed the bitter words that surged to the tip of her tongue. There was no point in arguing. “What is it you want me to say, Jessica?”
“He bought out Uncle Richard, but he won’t buy Kyle’s shares. What is he planning to do about mine and my mother’s shares?”
“I honestly don’t know. We have our first real meeting on Monday. I suspect, like most private equity firms, he’s going to position Armstrong for sale.”
“How can you be so cold? Don’t you even care about what’s happening?”
Olivia’s tone was sharp. “Of course I care, Jessica. My entire life is this company. However, my most immediate concern is for the employees who depend on their paycheck every week, not someone who thought they held the golden ticket for something they never worked for. Find an outside buyer for your stock, Jessica. It’s all you can do.”
“You won’t ask him to?—”
“I have to go. Goodbye, Jessica.”
Olivia wasn’t sure if Jessica had reported their conversation back to Kyle, or if he was simply being vengeful, but he had clearly called her parents as part of his smear campaign. It was no surprise they took his side.
Waking up late after a good night’s sleep, Olivia was making herself pancakes when her caller ID lit up with her parents’ number. They called her so rarely, Olivia picked up instantly.
It was a mistake.
They must have clutched the phone between them to share because they both interjected their opinions, often speaking over each other.
“Is it true you slept with your new boss?” Her mother whispered the word.
“No.”
“Kyle said?—”
“Kyle is my ex-husband, and I’m your daughter. Why are you still talking to him?”
“You threw away your vows. That doesn’t mean we have to kick him out of our lives. He was a part of our family.”
Olivia snapped. “I’m a part of your family. I’m your child, but you always side with him.”
“Don’t speak to your mother like that,” her father boomed.
“Olivia.” Her mother was using her you’re-having-a-temper-tantrum voice. “You’ve always been stubborn, and you like to get your own way. Have you considered how your actions have hurt the people around you? I’m not sure you ever gave your marriage a chance. A husband needs?—”
She’d heard it too many times before. “I don’t have a husband.”
“Who’s fault is that?” her father snapped.
Olivia bit her tongue. “Fun chat. Let’s do it again in a few months, like usual.”
She didn’t feel an iota of guilt when she hung up on her parents and powered her phone off for the rest of the weekend.
Olivia was surprised to find Declan alone on Monday when she joined him in his office. Part of her hoped Cecile or another member of his team would be there to serve as a buffer. Olivia rolled her shoulders back. Not a problem. She could take whatever Declan threw at her.
“Olivia.” Declan greeted her with an extended arm, inviting her to sit in one of the chairs facing the desk. Her stomach flipped as her eyes skated over his face.
God he is beautiful.
“I got the reports you sent. They are…” His eyes scanned down the papers in front of him. “Detailed.”