ELSA STOOD IN front of the gold leaf mirror.
“Beautiful as always.” She smiled at her reflection.
Her latest facelift had done wonders to erase the years. Perhaps the doctor had been a bit zealous with how much skin he retracted as her eyes were a little off, but he assured her that she’d look like herself in no time.
The doors to her office burst open. She spun around. A distinct frown pulled at her very tight skin. “What are you doing here?”
Sage stood in the doorway with a smile on her face. For a moment, she didn’t say anything. A sickening feeling took hold of Elsa’s stomach. It was just like her nightmares. But that couldn’t be. She’d worked so hard to keep the truth from Sage.
“It’s over, Elsa.” Sage stepped into her office.
“I... I don’t know what you’re talking about.” There was no way Sage knew the truth. She was lying. “And if you don’t get out of here, I’m calling security. In fact, I’m calling them right now.”
As Elsa picked up the phone, Sage said, “There’s no need to call them. I have the police with me.”
At that moment, two New York City uniformed officers stepped up behind Sage. Elsa took a step back. This couldn’t be happening. She refused to lose everything.
“You all need to go,” Elsa said as though it would make it so.
“The only one leaving here is you. In handcuffs.” Sage was no longer smiling. There was a very serious look on her face. “We’ve just handed over all of the proof the district attorney needs to prosecute you for fraud, embezzlement and a few other charges. And when they are done with you, the SEC wants their turn to try you for manipulating the company stock price. And don’t worry, your buddies at the investment firm are getting their own set of bright shiny handcuffs.” A big smile came over her face.
Quentin Thomas Rousseau III stepped up next to Sage. “Didn’t you forget something?”
Sage turned to him. “Did I? That’s a lot of charges to remember.”
He nodded. “Would you like me to say it?”
“Sure.”
“Stop.” Elsa’s stomach lurched. She didn’t know which made her sicker, the pending charges or their sickening sweet act. “How did you figure it out?”
Sage lifted her chin and leveled her shoulders. “I took a page out of your book. I hired the best private investigator after I found him snooping through my office.”
Elsa’s gaze narrowed. “You hired Hunter?”
Sage’s smile broadened. “I did. I guess you could say he was acting as a double agent.”
Quentin spoke up. “Now what was I about to say?”
Sage elbowed him. “You know, what happens to Elsa after the SEC.”
“That’s right. Once the SEC is done with you, the IRS wants their turn at you. It appears that you’ve been hiding assets.”
“How could I have forgotten that one?” Sage turned to Elsa. “Looks like you’re in a mess of trouble. I just hope you didn’t mess up my house too much. That’s right. The house is coming back to me now that a copy of the original will has been located.”
As the officer placed the cuffs on Elsa’s wrists, the reality of the situation sunk in. Elsa glared at her stepdaughter. “Your father always loved you best. He never paid attention to what I needed. It was always Sage this and Sage that. He was never worried about me. I had to take what I deserved.”
The officer started to read her rights to her. Elsa took one last look around her precious office. And then her gaze landed on Sage and Quentin as they shared a tender look.
“You will never win,” Elsa said as she was led toward the door.
“We already did.” Sage leaned over and kissed Quentin.