“Wh...Why did you do that?” her eyes accusing as they stared at him, her breasts rising and falling as she tried to calm her breathing as panic filled her. “Seemed the best way to wake you”, had been his only response, as with determination he moved around the desk to seat himself in the large chair.
“Sit down Sara” he ordered as she scowled, not sure what was happening, her senses only starting to return from the deep sleep she had been in. Moving back to the chair, her movements unsure, she sat on the very edge, her body stiff, whilst he leant back in his chair; the epitome of coolness and relaxation.
“I have been giving your situation a little thought” His statement saw her head rise, her eyes darting to his. “Imagine my surprise Sara to discover that your sister and her husband have defrauded the company which I just acquired by nearly five million dollars” Sara felt the pit of her stomach drop at the full extent of the money stolen. His accountants had been fast, their own still trying to get to the bottom of the deception and fraud perpetrated by Angela’s husband Nick. Closing her eyes slowly she felt her whole body droop.
“That much?” was all she could manage weakly as he watched the way she seemed to come apart before him. “My accountants tell me that most of the money was channeled through an account called Paxton Holdings, but they are finding more and more each day” Sara looked up at him, her eyes beseeching. “My sister had nothing to do with it Darius. The only crime she is guilty of is stupidity. She trusted Nick...my mother trusted him”
He watched her carefully. “I know that. Your sister was not smart enough to be involved in anything like this...but as you know she did countersign the loans”, the only response from Sara a small groan as she nodded as he frowned softly. “What about you? Did you trust him?” Sara gave a shake of her head. “No. I never trusted him, but I was away at university...then married. I was never allowed to be involved with the business...so I had no idea what he was up to. We have a private detective looking for him and he has some leads...we just need time to bring him to justice”
A few seconds of silence stretched out between them before he leant forward. “Seeing as you bring it up I’m interested in your marriage...six months does not seem like you made much of a commitment. I understand that you only finalised your divorce last month” He saw the surprise on her face that he knew the facts of her marriage, before her eyes hardened as she dropped her look from his. “My marriage has nothing to do with this” her tone soft but firm.
Sitting back once more he leant his elbows on the arms of the chair, his fingertips touching as he regarded her thoughtfully before starting to speak, his voice emotionless, matter of fact. “Your sister will be held accountable for your brother-in-law’s actions. Stupidity will not be an excuse in the eyes of the law Sara”, she stared back at him, pain filling her lovely cornflower blue eyes.
“Please Darius. I am begging you, don’t do this” His look hardened as he held hers. “Are you asking me to show you the same consideration you showed me so many years ago Sara?” his tone softly accusing. Sara nodded back. “You may not believe it Darius, but what happened was much more favourable than what my father wanted, and yes, I am asking you to show the same leniency that I showed you” She jumped as his hand smacked against the wooden table top.
“Leniency! You branded me a thief with no ability to redeem myself. Everybody I knew was under the belief that I had stolen that money. Your father phoned everyone he knew and told them that I was a thief and a liar. Nobody was prepared to hire me and I had no choice but to return to Italy. So do not insult me by pretending that you were lenient”, the disdain and hatred dripped from his words as he snarled at her, hopelessness seeping into every part of her as she looked around herself.
“Look at what you have accomplished Darius. Do you really think you would have any of this if you had been thrown in jail? So yes, I do think that you were shown leniency and I am asking you to show the same” He grew quiet as he regarded her again, even knowing that had he been in prison then he would never have built his empire, his lust for revenge still burned brightly within him.
“Maybe Sara...but I was innocent. I grew up in an area that you became either a priest or a thief. I managed to avoid becoming either and it was hard, harder than a spoilt little brat like you could ever begin to imagine. So to be branded one by you and your damn family...” He had not finished his statement as his mouth tightened, Sara moving nervously in her chair. “What do you want from me Darius? You know that Angela is innocent...are you really going to destroy my entire family for the past?” Sitting back once more he again fixed her with his look, this time his voice musing.#p#分页标题#e#