I Am The Luna (Moonlight Muse) novel Chapter 24

ZAIA.

THREE YEARS LATER…

I lace my fingers together, resting my elbows on the sleek marble of my top-floor executive office. Scoffing as the man before me rambles on.

Cocking a brow, I finally intervene. “Mr Santoni, time is precious, and I have places to be, deals to close, and money to make. So, shall we get to the proof that these company records show?”

His face pales as he presses his lips into a tight line. “You are gravely mistaken, Ms Toussaint! I can assure you the miners’ project was something that we handled correctly! Those poor folk are trying to con the company! They are snakes!”

My eyes flash as I slam my hand on top of the file, making him flinch as I stand up.

“Mr Santoni. I will not tolerate you antagonising me. You embezzled millions of dollars from this company, which was set aside for the family of the deceased miners abroad after the accident two years ago! Did you really think that I would not look into it?” I ask sharply, my voice dripping with authority and warning him to dare deny the truth that is laid before us.

He lowers his head, swallowing hard. A drop of sweat trickles down his face and he takes out his handkerchief, wiping it away nervously.

“P-please Ms Toussaint… the th-thing… I mean I have served this company for over twenty years, my father before me worked for the Toussaint enterprises, how can you let that all be cast aside so qu-quickly…” he mumbles his eyes darting around the office as if looking for a way to escape.

We are on the thirty-seventh floor of Toussaint Enterprises, a building that sits in the centre of the business district. There is nowhere to escape with security on every floor and at every exit.

“That does not excuse the fact you took money that was not yours.” I say coldly, “Those families needed it far more than you, and when they raised those concerns, you tried to silence them.”

The scandal had rocked the empire, and it had cost the company a lot, despite the fact the manager put in charge had been careless and Mr Santoni here had only made matters worse. But ultimately the company must take responsibility for the mistakes made, and the lives lost.

I try to calm my wolf’s emotions by taking a deep breath. Although I’ve only shifted once in my life, lately her emotions have only gotten stronger.

I guess being surrounded by idiots does that.

“I… I know Ms Toussaint… but I… I’m sorry! And I will pay it back, p-please please don’t press charges!” he pleads as he suddenly holds his hands up pleadingly as he rushes to the table, and gets into my personal space.

I move back, my eyes flashing as I press a button under the table.

“I need security. I’m afraid you will have to take the consequences for your actions, Mr Santoni.”

He freezes as if unable to comprehend those words before he tilts his head and shakes it vigorously.

“I will never accept it!” he shouts as the door opens and two security guards come in. “I-I did nothing! I’m being framed.”

I raise an eyebrow, motioning at them to take him out. “Your confession is caught on tape, Mr Santoni. Anything and everything can and will be held against you.”

“You lied! You tricked me! No no! I will not accept it!”

I fold my arms under my breasts and turn away from the shouting man as he’s dragged from my office.

“Are you alright, Boss?”

“Of course, please close the door after you, Carlisle.”

“Yes, Ma’am.”

The door shuts and I sigh as I walk towards the windows that run across the entire wall, from floor to ceiling, behind my desk. I look out at the city that is mapped with sky-high buildings in modern sleek designs.

Cars queue along the roads and the faint sound of horns blaring can be heard from drivers impatient to get to their destinations.

My eyes flick to a building far across the business district. A building that towers several storeys higher than ours. The biggest here… the exterior is full glass, with words in matt black running along the side that you can read from miles away, set against a silver background.

ARAN KING

I look away, the pain that would once clench at my heart as a reminder of my ex, a pain that would claw at me like poison is almost non-existent…

Almost.

I stare at my reflection in the glass. Before me is a woman with hair styled into a high sophisticated updo, a few tendrils of red hair frame her face. Sharp eyes that are winged with black eyeliner, and bold red lipstick covers her lips.