Chapter 81 Tipping Him Off

Chapter 81 Tipping Him Off
DOMINIC POV:

I picked up the phone and gave Stenton the much needed call. 

“Mr. Presley, what do I owe this pleasure?” he asked in greeting. 

I was stunned to know that he had my number saved. We had met each other at some business conferences, but I had never paid much attention to it afterwards.

“Well, I called you because of a personal matter,” I started. Knowing Stenton wouldn’t act unless it was in his own benefit, I added, “A new recruit of yours has been making trouble at my company. When I checked his background, I found some interesting things that could pose a threat to your business, as well.”

There was a moment of silence on the other end. “Could you send the information over?” he asked after a while. 

An intelligent man knew not to trouble those in his community. But they also knew that a small employee could pose a great threat to their business, no matter how big the company. With social media thriving, no one was anonymous and without influence. 

I was proof. Arthur lying and garnering sympathy from the public was, too.

“Of course, I will send it over. You can decide if you would like to onboard him after this,” I informed him calmly. I had no intention of pressuring him. I only hoped his social intelligence was high enough to understand my meaning.

I didn’t want to be embroiled in a wrongful termination lawsuit on top of it all. Not that I minded; I took great pleasure in snatching the small victory he used to boast to others. 

“The HR team will analyze the risk and take action. Thank you for tipping me off, though,” Stenton spoke softly. 

I clicked on the email I had composed earlier and sent it to him. I heard a ping on his end and then his breath hitched when he realized how Arthur had pissed me off. 

I smiled. “Well, I will leave you to it, then,” I spoke. 

With a few more minutes of small talk, we hung up. I stared at the ceiling and sighed. One down, a few more steps to go.

My assistant walked into the room, his arms filled with files that I needed to check. I glanced at them and remembered that I could push them to tomorrow if they weren’t pressing. With my family waiting at home, work wasn’t as enticing as before.

“Call the driver. I’m heading home.” 

My assistant didn’t question. He put the files away and scurried out of the office. Within ten minutes I was already on my way home. And after finishing some more work on the ride there, I finally looked out of the window. The crowd of reporters had lessened, courtesy Greg, and while a few still lingered for impromptu shots, the car rolled into the property without delay. 

The ground floor was eerily silent when I walked in. Dread filled my chest as I made my way through the living room and up the stairs. Usually, the house was full of noise, of motion, but that night, everything felt calm. 

Too calm. 

I turned the knob slowly and my stomach dropped when I saw the nursery empty. Neither Harry nor Bethany were in their respective beds. And there was no sign of the adults either. 

I whipped out my cellphone and dialled Dan’s number. 

I heard noise from the other side. I raised my brow, the panic slowly seeping out. “Did you take everyone out?” I asked tentatively. 

“Leigh is throwing an impromptu house party in one of the attached houses,” Dan replied. I could hear the smile in his voice. 

Glad that everyone was keeping their minds off the scandal, I hummed. “I’ll change and come by.”

I showered leisurely and changed into comfortable clothes, knowing that Eileen and the kids were in good hands. I rolled up my sleeves and strolled to the attached house. 

I found Lucy and Dan in the living room with Leigh’s daughters and Harry and Bethany. They sat on the floor, playing a card game. The kids were old enough to try and cheat, and the giggles were continuous. Leigh and Eileen busied themselves in the kitchen, chatting easily. 

“Ugh, that ex-husband of mine is really something else,” Leigh complained. “He decided to go on a trip with his girlfriend at the last minute and dropped the girls off without informing me first!” 

Eileen chuckled. “Aren’t you glad they are back?” she asked. 

“I am over the moon, but the girls had classes and now they don’t.” She sighed. “Trust me, you did good not to marry that guy. Being a single mother is less work than adding a man-baby with the impulse control of a two year old to your roster.”

Eileen snorted. “This is the first time I have heard that being said,” she replied. Then she sighed. “But now the girls are here and you can spend more time with them.”

Leigh nodded. A small smile played across her lips as she diced some vegetables. “With Bethany and Harry around, they are happier than at the house.”

I leaned against the wall, watching Eileen move around the kitchen with ease. She didn’t appear as worried as I had imagined her to be.

“You’re going to stay over the week, right?” Eileen asked after a beat.

“Your boyfriend begged me to come and take care of you,” Leigh teased. “You’re not getting rid of me until Dominic takes a broom and shoos me out.”

Eileen pressed the back of her hand to her mouth and hid her laugh. “If Dominic had his way, you would stay with us.”

She knew me well. 

I cleared my throat, making my presence known. They turned to me slowly. I stared at Eileen, trying to read her emotions. There was hesitation written on her face, and I couldn’t tell what she was thinking.

“You’re welcome any time,” I spoke up. “As for shooing you away… I dare not. I only beg that you come back to the office and take some of the load off me.” I smiled apologetically. 

Leigh rolled her eyes. “I’m enjoying early retirement. You can’t make me work even if you force me,” she retorted.