Chapter 4 - THE FIRST MONDAY WITHOUT OLIVIA
At 7:15 Monday morning, Ethan arrived at headquarters.
His coffee wasn't waiting.
The conference room was locked.
His calendar contained three overlapping meetings.
And the investor briefing scheduled for nine had no updated financial presentation.
He stood in the doorway of Olivia's empty office.
For seven years, he had never wondered how the day began.
It simply began.
Now it didn't.
His new temporary assistant, a young woman named Sophie Lane, appeared carrying a tablet.
"Mr. Caldwell, the Singapore delegation is downstairs."
Ethan frowned.
"They aren't due until ten."
Sophie checked the calendar.
"It says nine."
"Olivia always scheduled them for ten."
Sophie looked uncomfortable.
"Then the calendar wasn't updated."
Ethan stared.
"Fix it."
Sophie nodded.
"I'll try."
He turned away.
Then stopped.
"Wait."
Sophie looked up.
"Yes?"
Ethan sighed.
"That wasn't fair. You didn't make the schedule."
She blinked.
It was the first apology she'd received from him.
By noon, three problems had emerged.
The catering contract had expired.
The board packet contained outdated numbers.
And a major investor had arrived without the interpreter Olivia normally arranged.
Ethan spent the afternoon apologizing.
He hated it.
But for the first time, he understood that Olivia hadn't simply managed his calendar.
She had managed the consequences of his decisions.
At four, Madeline Hayes entered his office.
She wore a cream-colored suit and carried a folder.
"Ethan, darling, we need to discuss the foundation."
He looked up.
"Not now."
Madeline smiled.
"It's important."
"So was Olivia."
The words surprised them both.
Madeline's expression changed.
"Excuse me?"
Ethan leaned back.
"Did you know her name was removed from the gala manifest?"
Madeline hesitated.
"I assumed you approved it."
"I didn't."
She looked away.
Ethan's eyes narrowed.
"Madeline."
She sighed.
"Honestly, Ethan, she was your assistant. She didn't need a car."
Ethan stared.
"She organized the entire event."
"And she was paid for it."
He looked at her.
For the first time, he saw something in Madeline's expression that troubled him.
Not jealousy.
Not embarrassment.
Contempt.
That evening, Ethan called the fleet company.
He requested the final dispatch records.
The representative emailed them.
Ethan opened the file.
Then froze.
Olivia's original car had been canceled at 6:42 p.m.
The cancellation had been authorized through an executive account.
He checked the name.
Madeline Hayes.
Ethan stared at the screen.
Then looked toward the dark blue gift box still sitting on his desk.
May you like
And for the first time, he understood that the rain had not been an accident.
Someone had wanted Olivia left behind.
