The CEO's Entanglement

23 Unexpected Visitors

Morris POV

The drive home from Elise's show is in silence. I'm tempted to reach over and touch my wife, but I'm afraid she will reject my touch after everything that happened tonight. Hearing Elise say that she trusted me should have meant everything, but a part of me is worried she didn't really mean it. Was she just saying that she believed I didn't go there was a way not to give Loreli the satisfaction of seeing the pain her words caused?

Elise saying my name brings me out of my thoughts. My heart starts to pound against my chest as the panic of what she is about to say flows through me. I give her a quick look of acknowledgment before my eyes return to the road. Her expression gives nothing away. "Morris, I meant what I said back there. I know you didn't touch her" she says. I never knew how much words could affect a person until this moment.

The rock that had firmly settled in my stomach after hearing that b**ch talk about having my c**k in her mouth to my wife leaves as quickly as it came. I can't stop the tears that stream down my cheeks from the relief I feel. My wife's soft fingers wipe the tears from my cheek. I'm glad to see our parking spot come into view. Once the car is parked, I don't waste a second before adjusting my chair and pulling my wife over the console.

I can't help but chuckle when she tries to keep her dress over her a** as I settle her on my lap. I cup my wife's face in my hands, needing her to hear me. Needing her to see the truth in my eyes. "I am so sorry Elise. Sorry for the stupid decisions that have brought this woman into our lives. I am so grateful that you believe that I didn't touch her tonight. I can't tell you how worried I was that she would succeed in hurting you again. That she would succeed in making you doubt my loyalty to you."

She wipes my cheeks again with her thumbs. "Morris, I am not a stupid woman by any stretch." I'm just about to reassure her I know she isn't when she presses her lips to mine. When she pulls back, I smile. "What I mean is that, after everything that has happened, I see her for who she is. Yes, you made a few really stupid decisions that hurt me, but I don't believe it was because you had feelings for her. You have also shown me that, despite the changes to my body, you want me just as much" she says.

"Not as much, more" I say, before she can stop me. "What I mean is my mother was right. If you wanted this woman, you could easily walk away from me. If you didn't love me, you could file for divorce and be done with it. The prenup would protect you and you could still be a father to Emmy. So, the only reason for you to fight so hard for me is because you love me. Unless you give me a reason, I won't doubt you again, Morris" she says.

"I do love you more than anything, Elise. You couldn't get rid of me if you tried. I do have to tell you something because after what you just said I don't want to keep anything from you." Her body stiffens under my touch. "It's nothing to do with that b**ch Elise." She immediately relaxes and I pull her closer.

"There is no prenup my love." She immediately pulls back, confusion written on her face. "What are you talking about? I signed a prenup. I wanted to make sure no one would ever question if I was with you for money. Besides, it is yours. The company and money are yours. Besides what I need for Emmy, I wouldn't want anything else," she says.

I smile, and it's my turn to press a soft kiss to her lips. "Love, I know you never cared about my money. Hell, I would give every dollar to you if it kept you by my side. The day you signed the prenup, I instructed the lawyer to hold it until we could have a discussion. The next day, when he came to my office, I shredded it. Needless to say, he was pissed, but I found it quite funny."

She slaps my chest before she crosses her arms over her chest. "Why the hell would you do that? Morris, that was to protect the company and your financial interests. I would never take your company or money, but still, why the hell would you do that" she asks. "It's just things, Elise. Don't get me wrong, I love my company because it provides for all my employees. I also enjoy the work, but it's meaningless without this," I say, pointing between us.

"I didn't need a prenup because there will never be a divorce. You are mine, and I'm never letting you go. One day, if one of the kids wants to learn the business, it will become theirs. Until then, it's ours. Everything I own is yours." This time it's Elise who has tears streaming down her cheeks. "I love you Morris. I'm sorry I ever doubted your love for me." I pull her close to my chest. "I'm sorry I ever gave you a reason, Elise."

The Next Day

As crazy as last night was, I believe it helped heal more of what I broke between Elise and I. After we finally got out of the car, I showed her just how much I loved her until we both passed out. I left my sleeping wife with a gentle kiss and a promise to be home on time. The drive to work was filled with questions about Melissa and Jules' involvement with Loreli. I know they have something to do with her scheming, but I have no proof right now.

I am glad that Loreli is finally gone. I make my way to Amber's floor. As soon as I step off the elevator, a number of employees are giving me looks that I can't decipher. I also hear imperceptible chatter around me. I knock on Amber's door expecting her to call out for me to enter, but instead, she opens the door just enough to acknowledge me. "Mr. McNair, I'm with someone right now. I will call you as soon as we are finished" she says.

I can see by her eyes she is pleading with me to leave, which has my hackles rising. "Who is in your office, Amber that I can't be involved in the conversation?" I can see she wants to slap me, but I'll be damned if something is going on that involves me and I don't know about it. Based on everyone's reaction this morning, whoever is in her office has stirred the proverbial pot.

She steps aside, opening the door. I can feel the heat rise in my body as I see not only Loreli but Jules and a man I've never seen before sitting in front of Amber's desk. I come to stand next to Amber's desk, crossing my arms over my chest. "Can someone explain to me why someone who is no longer employed by my company is in HR office and why the corporate lawyer isn't involved?"

Amber has the good graces to look embarrassed. "They just arrived Mr. McNair. Mr. Humphrey is on his way here" Amber says. "Next question, why wasn't I called about this improtu meeting?" Before she can answer the man does. "Mr. McNair, I don't believe that you should be involved in this conversation should the accusations being brought forth by my client land you in court. The visit today is merely my client getting her severance pay and to inform Mrs. Jones of the lawsuit we will be filing," the man says.

I can't stop the laugh that bubbles up in my throat. She couldn't get me to f**k her so now she is going to sue me. "There will be no severance pay. The firing was just after Ms. Patton's behavior as witnessed by several patrons of the gallery. Which I promise you will testify to the same. Now where are the papers that you have brought for HR?"

Amber rounds her desk, handing me the yellow folder. I glance them over before I turn back to the pr*ck who is smiling like he won something. "Leave my office building and don't return. If you thought this would be a way to weasel money out of me, you are sadly mistaken."

"I would think carefully, Mr. McNair. This kind of publicity could ruin not only your reputation but also the company." "It would have to be true for that to happen. The only opinion that matters to me is my wife's, and she solidly believes that nothing happened between me and Ms. Patton. So, by all means, take your best shot."

A smug smile spreads across his face. "Just remember Mr. McNair, the courtroom is like the public. People only have to believe something is true. With your father's past and Loreli's testimony about your late nights, I have no doubt we can establish you are a chip off the old block" he says. I ball my fists at my side as Amber ushers them from the office.