Read Online All the World by Rachel L. Vaughan - Free Book Online Page B

then she would have divorced him,” said Lexie.
                  Nickolas laughed. “Divorce him and ruin her reputation? I think not. She cares about what people think, just like all women. Proper appearance is a frailty of women. Deceit is in their nature.”
                  Those comments stung, and it took all of Lexie’s strength not to slap him.
                  “So, would Flora put her reputation before her relationship with you?”
                  Nickolas’s eyes softened slightly. There was a tenderness in him that Lexie rarely saw. “I hope not, but she is vulnerable to the same risks as all women, and the frailties of the fairer sex can bring about the destruction of men. Men often fall because of their love for wayward women. Think back to great stories and myths. King Arthur lost Lancelot, his greatest knight, because of Guinevere’s shifting affection. Helen was the face that launched a thousand ships and brought about the destructive Trojan War when she fled with her lover. Isolde tore a family apart when she and Tristan fell in love. Affection is an emotion that can mask deceit, and women typically have more affectionate natures.”
                  “What is going on in that head of yours?”  Lexie whispered.
                  “It’s not in my head!” Nickolas answered with a steely edge in his voice, stuffing a hand into his pocket. “Braedon saw it too. We saw him on Crossroads Avenue last night!”
    “What are you talking about? What did you see?” Lexie’s eyes darted to Nickolas’s hand as he pulled it from his pocket. “Is…that a…knife?”
                  Nickolas glanced at the shiny pocketknife in his right hand. The frown on his face alternated between determination and uncertainty. He quickly closed it and put it back in his pocket. “It was a gift from my dad. I always carry it. Well, I have a session today since I missed my last one. Have a lovely day. I might stop by your apartment later.”
                  Is he planning to murder his uncle? That man has a loose screw in his head.  Lexie nodded and watched him saunter to the entrance. Why did her best friend have such an unpredictable boyfriend?
                  Lexie was still puzzling over Nickolas’s comment about him and Braedon seeing something when she entered the lobby.
                  Popular magazines were carefully arranged on a main table. Usually, Lexie took little interest in them. However, two clients were reading an article about a disagreement between the father and son co-owners of Garland Corporation.
                  Lexie lingered in the lobby long enough to learn that Guillaume Garland was angry with Cesare for causing the riot in Vernon Hills. Guillaume was a huge theatre patron, and he was furious that his son went behind his back and tore down the Stratford Theatre while he was out of the country. Though Cesare was a co-owner of Garland Corporation, Guillaume truly ran the company. Guillaume, though not a particularly compassionate man, had the respect of his employees. The article finished with an egotistical Cesare stating, “God is my judge, and I do not answer to Guillaume Garland.”
                  She chuckled as she made her way to her desk. Did Cesare think fighting with his father would earn him the respect of his employees? With the backing of the Garland Corporation employees and board, Guillaume could have Cesare stripped of his title. As she sat down, Lexie hoped Mr. Garland would see the true ineptitude of his son.
                  Lexie typed until her fingers were numb, and she wanted to cry with relief when Dr. Lindegaard announced that the taxing day had been a success. Everyone was quiet as they waited in line for the elevator. Some were leaning against the wall with their eyes closed, others were massaging their foreheads.