Page 354 of Double or Nothing

Bryce does.

The story comes slowly at first.

William’s interrogation after the auction. The accusations about loyalty and the opportunities he had given Bryce. The reminders that Bryce was virtually part of the family, delivered while Christopher watched and glowed with satisfaction.

Then the punishment.

Missing emails.

Changed meetings.

Work transferred to Christopher.

Reports and strategies presented without Bryce’s name attached.

The further Bryce gets into the story, the calmer his delivery becomes. His fingers stop twitching. His shoulders straighten.

By the time he reaches Adrian Whitmore’s arrival at Parker Capital, he sounds more like himself.

Not the nervous man who entered my office.

The professional.

The strategist.

The person William Parker spent years teaching to doubt his own value.

“They told Adrian it was a partnership,” Bryce says. “Christopher looked directly at him and lied. Bill sat there and helped him.”

“What did you do?”

“I told Adrian the truth.”

A fierce bolt of pride cuts through me.

“You exposed the takeover?”

“Yes.”

“Right there in the meeting?”

“Yes.”

“Fuck, BT.”

The nickname slips out naturally this time.

Bryce’s eyes meet mine. No flinch. No objection.

“I told him not to sign anything,” he continues. “I advised him to contact his board and obtain independent legal advice.”

“And then?”

“I left the room.”

I can picture it.

Christopher’s horror.