Meade nced over but said nothing, only to look up and spot Olivia slipping quietly toward the front door, tiptoeing as if hoping no one would notice.


    His face hardened. "Olivia, where do you think you''re going?"


    She froze at the sound of his voice, her shoulders stiffening. Slowly, she turned around and lowered her head. "Grandpa."


    "I''m meeting some friends. We''re just going out for a bit.”


    Meade''s tone was cold. "Go back to your room."


    Olivia stamped her foot in frustration. "Grandpa! Why are you treating me like this? Ever since that incident with Isadora, you''ve had the staff watching my every move. I haven''t even been allowed out of my room!"


    "And it wasn''t even my fault! The nanny decided on her own to teach that woman a lesson. It had nothing to do with me."


    Meade''s expression darkened.


    Andrina stepped forward, kneeling beside Meade''s chair. "Dad, calm down. Olivia''s still young. Keeping her cooped up like this all day isn''t fair.”


    She turned to Olivia. "Go on then, but don''t stay out toote, or you''ll just make your grandfather even angrier."


    Realizing she''d won this round, Olivia stuck out her tongue yfully before dashing out the door.


    Secondster, the roar of a sports car echoed from the driveway.


    Andrina poured a cup of tea and handed it to Meade. "Dad, I know you''re upset about all this. I''ve already talked to Olivia-she knows she was wrong."


    "The nanny practically raised Olivia, like a second mother to her. She meant well, but she didn''t understand how serious things could get with the Fitzgerald family. Now that she''s gone, there''s nothing more we can do about it. Instead, we should focus on how our family is going to handle this crisis."


    Meade took the tea and sipped it thoughtfully.


    His daughter-inw was right. The nanny was dead, and their family had already apologized and paid a price.


    But Victor showed no leniency-so Meade would have to handle things his own way.


    He said, "I''ve heard the Fitzgerald Group''s board meeting ising up. Their shareholders are divided and some want to push Victor out. Presley, I want you and Colby to talk to


    egil and Kathie ck. Tell them


    Legacy National Bank is willing to


    lend a hand."


    Presley looked puzzled. "Virgil and Kathie? Dad, why them?"


    Meade shot him a pointed nce. "Victor locked up Deanna because of that woman. The ck family has been trying to stir up trouble among the shareholders ever since. They came to me before, but I turned them down."  s?novel


    He paused, his voice turning icy. "But Victor''s gone too far this time-he''s shown me no respect. I have no choice but to push back."


    "If the board manages to bring Victor down, we won''t have to worry about him anymore. We might even get a shot at the North District investment deal again."


    Colby''s frown finally rxed, and he grinned, giving his father a thumbs-up. "Dad, you always know what to do. Presley and I will get right on it."


    Meade warned them, "Remember, keep this quiet. Victor took over Fitzgerald Group in just a few years-he''s not someone to


    Vel


    underestimate. And if the board fails to qust him, this has nothing to do with us. Understood?"


    Presley and Colby nodded. "We''ll be discreet, Dad.”


    Meade let out a long sigh.


    Old friend, I didn''t want it toe to this.


    But your grandson Victor made the first move.


    So don''t me me for what happens next.