16 - Boss's Orders

While back at New Castle Estates Roth climbed in behind the steering wheel of the National MPV, the economical vehicle he had purchased only a few days ago. When his grandmother had finally backed him into a corner and convinced him to marry the woman she'd chosen, he'd decided to do it on his own terms. Just because his nana had tried to assure him that Paige wasn't a gold digger and oblivious to her real identity, it didn't mean he'd believe it for an instant.

Which was why he came to the decision that during this marriage he would test her true character, to see what Paige Emberly-Asherton was really all about. Having come to this decision he'd promptly gone out to the dealership to purchase a vehicle that was more economical for a wage earner. While the vehicle cost a little over a hundred thousand dollars to purchase outright, it was better suited for someone of the middle class. Following the purchase of the vehicle he'd immediately gone to New Castle Estates, purchasing an already furnished Terrace House, rather than furnishing it himself. When he had completely set up the front of his middle-class status, he'd gone to talk to his parents, letting them know his decision about his marriage.

None of them were particularly pleased about his decision of pretending to be a regular salary earner, forcing them all to appear middle class when their around, but had ultimately agreed in the end. Although it would be difficult for him to parade around like an everyday Joe, Roth knew it couldn't be helped until he determined the truth about his wife. He was confident in a few months he'd uncover the truth of her scheming and money-hungry ways, then he could prove to his Nana she'd been wrong, quietly divorce and none the wiser.

If his nana had been there to listen to his thoughts, she would've barked out laughter, boy you should know better, that girl ain't going nowhere. She's your heart and one day the thought of leaving will drive you insane. He gnashed his teeth, we'll just see about that, you old hag. Roth had no doubt whatsoever in his mind that he was right about her, that Paige Ashton was simply after the family money. It was his bank account she wanted, not the man so to speak.

With his new wife safely away from the house just outside of the gates of New Castle, he parked on the side of the road. Hurriedly cutting off the engine Roth climbed out of the car and headed towards the Rolls Royce parked in front of him. One of the members of his security team climbed into the driver seat of MPV while he was loaded into the back of the Rolls Royce, the two cars made their way towards CromCorp.

All too soon the vehicle drove through the gates of the office, as the door came open he lumbered out of the vehicle, immediately surrounded by his security. Moving in unison he headed inside making his way towards his office on the 15th floor, barely acknowledging the greeting of his employees. Not that any of them would've known otherwise, as he was surrounded on all sides by his bodyguards, completely blocking off from view of him. It wasn't anything new to him.

Ever since he'd taken over the company following his father's retirement bodyguards had become his shadows, his one ever constant companion. Although every CEO had some form of security detail Roth had gone a bit overboard, followed by no less than twelve guards at a time. A fact he'd made damn sure of, his guards not only protecting him from their competitors but also the grabbing hands of unwanted violators.

Ever since he'd reached his eighteenth birth he'd been chased by one female after another, all of them determined to lay claim to the title of his wife. All of them believed that if they flashed their superior personality, it'd be enough to trick him into believing their the one for him. Determined to keep that from happening he'd amped up his security team, which would keep all females from getting too close to the man. The only females that were allowed to get anywhere near him were his mother, aunts and grandmother. And now his wife.

If the public were aware of her presence in his life they would've instantly been envious and call her lucky, to know she'd gotten so close to him. He smirked as he remembered last night, as he'd scooped the woman up into his arms and had carried her to bed, while she snuggled to his chest. Yes, if anyone had been aware of it they would be green with envy and jealousy, Paige alone accomplished what nobody else had ever accomplished. Yes, she was indeed lucky, whether she knew it or not.

Disappearing inside of his office while his security team posted outside warding off any unwanted visitors, Roth planted himself in the chair at his desk. Thinking about his wife he touched the intercom to his personal assistant, "Chad," he barked into the speaker.

"Yes, Mr. C." the man returned.

His nose wrinkled in irritation at the address from the man, Chad alone had the gall to call him this and none of his snarling could get the man to stop. "Tell Aaron Baynes he's needed in my office immediately."

"Yes, sir."

"And Chad?"

"Yes."

"Stop calling me Mr. C," he growled.

There was a pause on the other end, as Chad considered the order he'd been given to the boss, then his voice came back, "Yes, Mr. C."

He cursed as he ended the connection with the other man, which only served in receiving laughter from his assistant as he went to do as ordered. No one had understood the man's ability to remain his usual peppy and chirpy person, the only person in the building who wasn't scared to death of the man. Roth growled at the thought of his assistant that he would've surely fired years ago, if the man didn't do a superb job as his personal assistant.

A few minutes later his office door came open to admit Aaron inside, though it was quickly closed behind him, "Chad said that you wanted to see me."

He motioned dismissively to a seat in front of his desk, Roth prepared to follow through on what had compelled the meeting. "I need you to do something for me."

"Hmm," Aaron commented.

"I need you to call in a favor to your brother," Roth told him. Dorian Drake ran an internal information channel, paid quite handsomely for the information, as his company had the ability to find out what not even the authorities could. If there was something to find about a person, no matter how deep it was buried, then Dorian would uncover it.

Aaron bobbed his head, "Who are you wanting investigated?"

Roth tossed a folder towards him, "Her name is Paige Emberly-Asherton, that's everything I've managed to uncover about her thus far, but it isn't much."

His friend barked out laughter, "You want to investigate the woman that Nana wants you to marry? Why? Is nana still pestering you."

"No," he rejected his thought process, aware that was the last thing that his grandmother would think to be pestering him about. "There isn't any further need for her to pester anymore."

Aaron frowned, "Have a change of mind, did she?"

"No," Roth protested his question, knowing that he was merely beating around the bush. Aware that Aaron was going to end up finding out the truth on his own, Dorian was sure to uncover this piece of information. He took a deep breath. "There's simply no need for Nana to pester me anymore. Paige and I got our marriage license yesterday."

Aaron narrowed eyes on the man he claimed to be his best friend, realizing what had transpired without his knowledge. "You mean to tell me you went through it and married the girl, without telling me? And I thought I was your best friend."

Roth took a deep breath as he listened to the complaints of the man, "Do you know you bitch like a woman. To answer your question yes, you and Malcolm are my best friends, but it's not like it was a joyous occasion, I only married her because of my Nana. Don't look so glum, I didn't tell Malcolm either."

Aaron grimaced at the reminder of their other friend, "When you do finally do tell that man of your nuptials be sure that I'm far far away, he's sure to bust a cap when he finds out."

Groaning in weariment at the mention of the other man Roth focused on the one in front of him, the least violate of the two. "I want you to dig up everything you can find about Paige, her family, friends, absolutely everything that can be found. The sooner that I can prove she's a gold digger, the better off for everyone."

Aaron watched the other as he paced anxiously around his office, considering the predicament both of them were placed in. "No problem man. I'll get a hold of Dorian immediately, but how certain are you about this?

"Hundred percent," Roth remarked with absolute certainty in his tone, confident that he was making the right decision. "What kind of woman is gonna agree to marry a perfect stranger, one she hasn't even met, on the whim of an older woman? Clearly, she isn't the innocent victim that my Nana would like to think she is."

Rising up from his seat when he'd heard the steely resolve in his voice, proof he'd made up his mind, Aaron started to leave the office, but stopped before leaving. "I'll see what Dorian can uncover about her, but before you misjudge her at least get to know her first, find out who you really married. While it is a little disconcerting for a young woman to agree to marry a man she'd never met before, maybe she had her reasons."

He pointed at the door. "Get out."

Then left alone in the silence of his office Roth refused to admit that his friend might have made some valid points, determined to believe that he was right. Paige wanted the money attached to his name, he was certain about that.