Chapter 4 - The Contract Was Worth Twelve Million Dollars
Marcus founded Thorne Medical Systems nine years earlier.
The company developed remote-monitoring hardware for cardiac patients.
It had grown fast.
So fast that the hospital foundation gala was partially sponsored by his company.
Isabella had been hired as an outside regulatory strategist.
During their affair, she also became involved in negotiations for a major distribution deal.
The deal was worth roughly twelve million dollars over three years.
“What does any of this have to do with tonight?”
Marcus rubbed both hands over his face.
“She has leverage.”
“Over you personally or the company?”
“Both.”
That answer scared me more than I expected.
He explained.
Isabella had copies of internal emails showing that a device-certification delay had been described to potential distributors more optimistically than it should have been.
Not necessarily criminal.
Potentially damaging.
Definitely embarrassing.
“She threatened to send everything to the distributor unless I met her.”
“And you gave her a badge.”
“Yes.”
“You were negotiating with the woman you cheated on me with while I was upstairs carrying your child.”
He flinched.
“I was trying to protect the company.”
“From a problem you created.”
“Yes.”
That was at least true.
I asked the next question.
“Did she know about the baby before tonight?”
“Of course.”
“No. I mean did she know anything private about the pregnancy?”
Marcus went still.
“What do you mean?”
“Appointments. Complications. My doctor.”
“No.”
His answer came too quickly.
My pregnancy had been difficult.
At twenty-four weeks, I experienced early contractions and was told to reduce travel and stress.
Very few people knew.
Yet Isabella had kicked me deliberately in the side.
Not slapped me.
Not shoved me first.
Kicked me exactly where she knew the pregnancy made me vulnerable.
Then I remembered something she'd shouted before Marcus arrived.
“This is the lightest punishment.”
Not an impulsive sentence.
May you like
A warning.
Someone had told Isabella far more about my condition than Marcus was admitting.
