Page 95 of Love Under the Microscope
Her face crinkles, and her eyes narrow. “Why not?”
“Because he’s a bastard. I don’t want you to ever have to see him again.” I wince. “I arranged this meeting with him a day before I made the plan with you. If I had changed our meeting location, he might have become suspicious. And if he saw you there, he could spin it that you purposely tried to sabotage him.”
She frowns. “A day before?”
Is that all she heard me say? “Yes. What happened today has always been my plan, except I wasn’t giving him the formula. I planned to get him to talk while I recorded him and then hand that over for you to use as evidence.”
“Why didn’t you tell me about the original plan?”
“I told you why, but I also thought you’d lose it and give the game away.”
Zelda’s lips narrow. “I’m co-CEO of a successful pharmaceutical company. I’m capable of keeping my emotions in check.”
That statement is worthy of me raising two eyebrows, which earns me an eye roll from her.
“Usually, yes, but not with Nigel and so much at stake with Zentello. You care too much about your company. That’s why your plans have been so—”
“Brilliant.”
“Reckless and irresponsible.”
She winces. “I also heard what you said to that man about Nigel launching his product tomorrow.”
“That man is Drew, my editor, who wrote that shit piece about you, Nate, and Nigel. I gave him information so he wouldn’t print lies.”
“He already did.”
I shake my head. “The copies you and Nigel received were mock-ups. He wanted to see your reactions. See if he could sell more copies if it blew up.”
“That bastard.”
“I have another word for him, but I don’t use it in mixed company.”
“Is he going to print the article eventually, or did you manage to persuade him not to?” Zelda’s tone is full of disdain, like she doesn’t trust I’ll do that for her.
“He’s not going to print it.”
“That doesn’t mean I don’t hate you, Jack.” She rubs her temples and stares up at me through her lashes. “You worked with Nigel and told him to launch his own drug before we could. You’ve ruined me, Zentello, Nate, and everybody who has worked so tirelessly on Orchid.”
“Nigel isn’t launching anything, Zelda. He doesn’t have the complete formula. All he has is the fake formula you gave me.”
She doesn’t say anything, which worries me, but I’m not giving up. I need to make her understand. “Have you spoken to Nate today?”
Her mouth twists. “No. Why?”
“Because I told him everything before I spoke with Nigel. Nate called in some favors, and tomorrow, Zentello launches Orchid. At the same time, Nigel Carrington is hosting a press conference about a drug he’ll never be able to create or manufacture.”
“H-how? You told Nate?” Clearly at a loss for words, Zelda flops against her couch. “Why didn’t you tell me Nate knew?”
“Neither of us wanted you to stress about anything. Nate thought you’d blame yourself and was worried you’d do something stupid like resign to save the company.”
“I wouldn’t.” Talk about another brow-raising comment, but I let her continue. “Okay, I might have.”
“The point is, Nigel is about to ruin himself.” I reach into my pocket and pull out my phone. “I have our conversation recorded on this. It’s backed up on a separate hard drive. He’s not getting away with what he’s done, Zelda. I promise you.”
Despite the news I’ve given to her, she looks crestfallen.
“What?” I ask. “I thought you’d be happy.”
