Chapter 4 - CHLOE FOUND OUT WHAT VICTOR’S PEOPLE DID WHEN HE WASN’T LOOKING
Victor did not tell Chloe immediately.
That was his mistake.
Three weeks passed.
Tommy’s billing appeal continued.
Victor’s internal review expanded.
Marco had approved an exclusive distribution relationship between Russo Health Logistics and Northstar.
Commissions flowed legally on paper.
But side consulting fees appeared.
Approximately $1.4 million over three years.
Paid to an entity owned by Marco’s brother-in-law.
Could be legitimate.
Documentation was weak.
Victor ordered an independent forensic review.
Marco found out.
Of course.
Families have no secrets once accountants get involved.
Then Chloe received a call at work.
Tommy’s medication shipment was delayed.
Why?
Insurance authorization issue.
Routine maybe.
Except the specialty pharmacy handling it was tied to Northstar.
Chloe panicked.
Victor saw her in the kitchen.
“What happened?”
She told him.
His expression changed.
That was enough.
“You know something.”
Silence.
“Victor.”
He hated hearing his name when she was angry.
It sounded too human.
“What?”
“You know something.”
“Yes.”
Her face went white.
“What?”
He explained.
Not everything.
Enough.
Northstar.
Aster.
Marco.
Side fees.
The review.
Chloe stared at him.
“You knew for three weeks?”
“Yes.”
“And said nothing?”
“I didn’t have facts.”
“My brother’s medication is involved.”
“I did not know it would be delayed.”
“But you knew there might be a problem.”
“Yes.”
Chloe laughed bitterly.
“You people are all the same.”
The kitchen froze.
Two staff members quietly left.
Victor’s voice dropped.
“Careful.”
She stepped closer.
“No.”
That stopped him.
“I am tired of being careful around rich men who decide what information other people can handle.”
Victor stared.
“You thought you were protecting me from uncertainty?”
“I was protecting the investigation.”
“Same thing you tell yourself every time you keep control.”
That hit.
Because it was true.
Then Chloe said:
“If your cousin is using your company to profit from medical contracts that hurt patients, I deserve to know when my brother is one of those patients.”
“Yes.”
The word surprised both of them.
Victor continued:
“You’re right.”
Chloe stopped.
He had not defended himself.
That made it worse somehow.
Then:
“What are you doing about the medication?”
“I already had compliance contact the pharmacy.”
Her face hardened.
“No special treatment.”
“It isn’t.”
“Victor.”
“They are reviewing all delayed renal medication authorizations linked to the contract.”
That changed things.
All.
Not Tommy only.
Good.
Then he said:
“St. Catherine has also been notified.”
“By you?”
“Through counsel and compliance.”
Good.
No private threats.
No mysterious fixes.
Then Chloe asked:
“What happens to Marco?”
“If evidence supports misconduct, he loses the business.”
“And if he’s family?”
Victor looked at her.
“That stopped being an answer years ago.”
She believed him.
Mostly.
Then the more dangerous thing happened.
Marco appeared at the estate.
Without appointment.
Angry.
Mrs. Gable tried to block him.
Failed.
He entered Victor’s study shouting.
“This over a maid?”
Victor stood slowly.
Chloe was in the hallway.
She heard.
Marco continued:
“You blow apart a five-year contract because some girl cries about a hospital bill?”
Victor’s face became cold.
“This review began before her bill was connected.”
“Sure.”
Marco laughed.
“Everybody sees it.”
“Sees what?”
“You’ve gone soft.”
Victor stared.
Marco continued:
“Bellweather offers you his daughter and you throw her away.”
“Then this maid sleeps in your bed and suddenly we’re saints?”
Chloe froze.
Victor did too.
The staff had not known.
Now they did.
Marco smiled.
Wrong move.
Victor walked toward him.
No shouting.
Worse.
“Leave.”
Marco spread his hands.
“Touchy.”
Victor stopped inches away.
“You used my company.”
“Our company.”
“No.”
Victor’s voice stayed quiet.
“You used my name to keep people from asking questions.”
Marco’s smile weakened.
“If the audit clears you, you return.”
“And if it doesn’t?”
“You don’t.”
Marco looked toward the hallway.
Saw Chloe.
Then smiled deliberately.
“Careful, Bennett.”
Victor moved before he thought.
One hand caught Marco’s jacket.
Chloe said:
“Victor.”
Just his name.
He stopped.
That mattered.
He released Marco.
Then called security.
Not to hurt him.
To remove him.
Marco laughed all the way out.
But Chloe had seen something.
The part of Victor everyone whispered about.
The rage.
The instinct.
The ease with which violence seemed available.
She was not romantic about it.
Good.
Afterward she said:
“You wanted to hit him.”
“Yes.”
“Would you have?”
“If you hadn’t spoken?”
Victor thought.
“Yes.”
She nodded.
No flinch.
Just disappointment.
“That part of you scares me.”
He looked at her.
“It should.”
That was the first time Victor did not ask a woman to pretend his darkness was misunderstood.
And strangely—
May you like
it made Chloe trust him a little more.
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