A Cold Wife, Sweet Husband

―Because my boss' son, George Leroy, just got a job at the bank. Leo didn't answer. He understood that Nathan wouldn't be able to face George day after day, knowing that George was sleeping with Linda. ―Where will you work now?

―I'm leaving town. He didn't hide his shock. Nathan sighed. ―I need a fresh start. I'll be heading out to Rhode Island. I already got a job there at another bank. ―When do you leave?

―This Saturday. ―Would you like to come to my house for a farewell dinner party with a few close friends?

―No. You need to spend time with your wife. You know, the divorce wasn't completely Linda's fault. I know she's the one who committed a.d.u.l.tery, but there were a lot of times when I put business before her.

She spent a lot of time feeling lonely. George just happened to show up and give her someone to be with. If you love Jessica, then the best thing you can do is put her first. Business can always wait. No amount of money can take the place of someone important in your life.

He turned back to the Leroy Bank table. ―Come on. I'll introduce you to Jake. Jake stood by the table and talked with Harrison Sr. Leo's eyes scanned the nearby tables and he saw his uncle within earshot of the elder Grant.

To Leo, his uncle didn't even seem to be listening in on the conversation since he was talking with someone else, but he knew that his uncle was able to hear everything that was being said between Jake and Harrison Sr. How does Uncle Jonathan do it? Leo followed Nathan to the table. ―I certainly am interested in getting to speak with Mr. Leroy. Harrison shook Jake's hand. ―It was a p.l.e.a.s.u.r.e to meet you.

―Likewise, Jake replied. Leo noticed his uncle say good-bye to the person he spoke with so he could follow the elder Grant. ―Jake, this is Leo Monroe, Nathan introduced.

―Leo is Jonathan Monroe's nephew. I already explained that you'll be taking over as vice president at the Leroy Bank. Leo shook Jake's hand.

―Good afternoon. Jake smiled in return. ―Good afternoon. I heard you and your uncle stopped by to talk to Mr. Leroy this morning. If he decides to contract out to your uncle's investment firm, then I'll be working with you regularly.

―I see that the Grants are competing for the same privilege, Nathan noted. ―Yes. They will meet with Mr. Leroy tomorrow. He doesn't like to make any decisions right away, so he'll most likely take a couple of days before making a decision. ―You should be careful when it comes to the Grants. They aren't who they seem.

―That can be said of many people. Leo sensed he was talking about the ex-fiancée that Nathan had mentioned. ―The decision isn't mine to make, Jake continued.

―It's Conrad's bank, so it'll be his choice. Fortunately, he shows good business sense. ―Some men are wary of the Grants. ―They should be. Nathan turned to Leo. ―I suspect that Harrison Grant d.e.s.i.r.es to take over the bank and establish his own.

―My uncle has similar suspicions, Leo replied. ―The Grants seem to be bankrupting their competitors, so he wonders if they're slowly building a monopoly in this town. ―I disagree, Jake argued.

―He's not moving that slow. He's moving swiftly. But you know what the book of Proverbs says: when money is obtained quickly, it's quickly lost. ―Quite a bit of damage can occur between those two events, Nathan remarked.

―True. Jake glanced at Leo.

―Let's just hope we're not among the damages. Leo suddenly wondered how serious the Grant threat was to him and his uncle. His eyes scanned the room until he saw the younger Harrison who was talking and laughing with Mr. Lowe and Mr. Osmund. He had a funny feeling that he would be seeing a lot more of the questionable man in the future