Page 1 of Discretion at Its Finest

Chapter one

Genevieve

Stepping into my son’s room, I tiptoed over to his bed and lifted the blanket, only to see his eyes open with a playful smile. I gasped dramatically, “Well, aren’t you up early, my little lovebug?” I laughed, and he giggled, throwing his little arms out, and I had to catch myself as he latched onto me.

“Looks like someone got bigger overnight,” I giggled, holding him fully in my arms.

“Like the Hulk,” he murmured, looking down at the green pajama shirt he had insisted on wearing last night.

I placed a tender kiss on his head. “Yes, exactly like him.”

We stepped out of his room and walked down the steps before Gregory, my fiancé and soon-to-be husband, greeted me. “Looks like someone’s up and ready for the day.” He laughed, ruffling Eugene’s hair, causing him to smile brightly as we continued down the grand steps.

In the kitchen, I placed Eugene on a stool at the island, handing him his coloring papers from last night. I side-eyed Gregory, who was now running a hand through his hair, tensionlining his face. As I grabbed a few oranges to slice, I muttered, “Still feeling stressed for this upcoming quarterly review?”

He sighed. “It’s a mess. I’ve done everything I can to balance the books, and we’re still losing money left and right.” He ran a hand down his face, and I approached Eugene with the oranges, raising one to his mouth as he was busy coloring.

The Newman family empire was on the verge of bankruptcy for the second time in the last ten years. When Raymond Newman handed over control of the business to Gregory, it wasn’t because he believed in his son’s capabilities. It was because his wife, Jamie, had fallen ill with cancer, and he needed to step back.

Raymond was never much of a businessman himself; he often attributed his success to luck. And that was the truth.

Newman Trust and Financial Group thrived on private banking for the world’s elite—billionaires, politicians, and power players. They deposited fortunes into the firm, expecting high-risk, high-reward returns.

The only problem? Gregory was terrible at choosing the right investments to dip his toe into. And when those investments collapsed, and the elites withdrew funds from the bank, he found himself underwater, and drowning at that. With Raymond always trying to know the status of his business, it was a constant stressor for Greg.

“My father is growing more worried after seeing last month’s reports,” Gregory muttered, rubbing his temples. His suit jacket hung over the chair, wrinkled, as if he hadn’t bothered to put it away last night. He hadn’t been sleeping well, I knew that much. But what I didn’t know, what he wouldn’t tell me, was just how bad things really were.

Absentmindedly, I allowed Eugene to move my hand that held his next orange slice to his mouth as Gregory continued.

“He’s demanding a full audit by the end of the quarter.”

Anaudit. The word sat heavy between us. It meant exposure, questions, and consequences.

“If the numbers don’t add up, he’s taking over. And if that happens, I lose everything. But hey, it’s not like I haven’t been constantly reminded of my failures already, right?” The laugh that fell from his lips was bitter.

“Don’t say that. You’re doing your best.” My voice was steady, rehearsed. I had been playing the role of the supportive fiancée for years. He needed to hear it, whether I believed it or not.

“Well, right now that isn’t good enough. We need money, Gen. Specifically, I need a quarter billion dollars by the end of the month.”

I froze. That kind of money didn’t just come up out of the blue. And that was just for this month.

“My father says I need a new outside investor.”

A new investor. Someone with the capital, the business acumen, and the connections to salvage what Gregory had let slip through his fingers.

Someone like…

No.My stomach turned at the mere thought. “…Have you thought of anyone who’d be willing to take the risk?” I asked, running my hands through Eugene’s hair as he now lay against me, oblivious to the conversation.

“No one’s on my radar yet…” Gregory muttered, sipping on his coffee. I wanted to let out a small sigh of relief; however, it hitched in my throat as he continued, “My father, on the other hand… has a person in mind. Word has already spread down at the bank.”

My fingers tightened against the countertop. That could only mean one thing. Whoever Raymond was considering wasn’t just another investor. They were someone powerful enough that people were already talking.

It had to be someone Gregory didn’t choose. Someone he wouldneverchoose.

“Do you know who it is?” I asked carefully, keeping my voice even.

Gregory’s expression darkened. He didn’t look at me as he took another sip of his coffee, the tension in his jaw evident.