Longing For The Beach Billionaire Daddy
Chapter 194

*Michael*

I stalked through the office hallways. My mood was as dark as the navy suit I wore. My thoughts were still stuck on the boredom of the meeting I had just escaped. I wanted nothing more than to be done with today, to get back to my wife and make sure she and my babies were okay with my own two eyes.

Reggie was hot on my heels, a perpetual smile of enthusiasm plastered across his face. He resembled a sparkly-eyed puppy, eager to please its owner. As he reached me, he practically skipped alongside me.

“Hey boss,” he said breathlessly, “You won’t believe the news I just got!”

I titled my head and arched one eyebrow, gesturing for him to keep speaking. He hesitated a moment, his smile faltering, before he plastered it back on and surged forward.

“It’s about a potential merger–with NASA!” he exclaimed. “Apparently they’re looking to create a joint venture that would combine their space exploration capabilities with our cybersecurity solutions.”

He was right–this deal had major potential, and I couldn’t help but feel my curiosity piqued by the possibilities before us. But, the prospect of another merger, this time with NASA, was the last thing I needed on my plate. Working with the government meant navigating a maze of bureaucracy and red tape, consuming valuable time and resources.

With Shelby’s deteriorating health and the impending arrival of our babies, the last thing I needed was further complications.

I couldn’t help but roll my eyes at the sheer absurdity of it all. “Reggie, working with the government is the last thing I need right now. These contracts can take years to get to the signature phase,” I grumbled, my frustration evident in my tone.

“I’m–I’m sorry, sir. I thought this would be an excellent opportunity for you and the company.”

I sighed, running a hand over my tired face. “It is. I’m sorry, Reggie, it has been a long day. Get the information, and put it on my desk. I’ll take a look at it when I have a moment.”

“Can do, sir.”

Reggie turned to scurry off, his enthusiasm slightly dampened, but he paused. I couldn’t blame him for his excitement, but I was just too preoccupied with my own problems to offer the same enthusiasm in return.

“How is Shelby, sir?” he asked.

His concern was genuine, and I couldn’t bring myself to sugarcoat the truth. “Not good, Reggie,” I admitted, a flicker of worry crossing my features. “If her condition worsens, the doctors might have to deliver the babies early. And with everything going on with Marmie, it’s just a damn mess.”

Reggie’s expression softened, and he placed a hand on my shoulder in a comforting gesture. “I’m sorry to hear that, Michael. If there’s anything I can do to help, just let me know.”

I appreciated his offer more than he could ever know, but at that moment, I didn’t even know what I needed. “Thanks, Reggie. I’ll keep that in mind. How are you doing? At work, at home, all of it.”

Reggie’s face brightened at the question, and he launched into a detailed update on his life. His girlfriend had just landed a promotion at her marketing job, and they were planning a weekend getaway to celebrate. He had also been working on a passion project.

As I listened to Reggie’s bouncing voice, I couldn’t help but feel a pang of envy. His life seemed so much less complicated than mine, so simple and carefree. But I knew appearances could be deceiving. Reggie had his own struggles and challenges, as we all do.

“Sounds like things are going well for you. You’re doing well here too. I know you’ll continue to impress, you could have a real future here, Reggie.”

“Thank you, sir.”

Reggie smiled as he walked back to his office and I sighed heavily.

I stopped by my secretary’s desk on my way back to my office. I could have used the intercom or the messaging app, but it was only a few feet of effort to speak to her face-to-face, and I preferred it to the cold communication–especially since I hadn’t been present in the office the last few weeks.

“Gloria, catch me up. What have I missed while I’ve been working from home? Any messages or personnel information I need to be aware of?”

Gloria looked up from her computer screen and smiled warmly. “It’s good to have you back, Mr. Astor. As for updates, there’s been some progress on the Alonso account. They’re showing a lot of interest in our proposal, and I’ve scheduled a meeting for next week to discuss details further.”

“That’s good to hear. Keep me updated, and let’s make sure we’re prepared for that meeting. Anything else?”

“There are these as well,” she handed me a stack of memos and documents, and I skimmed through them quickly, noting new hires, upcoming meetings, and various updates on ongoing projects.

“Thank you, Gloria. I appreciate the update. I need to head out for a bit, but I’ll be back later. Let me know if there are any urgent matters that need my attention.”

Gloria hesitated for a moment before speaking. “Actually, there was one more thing. Lauren called earlier. She wants to talk to you as soon as possible.”

I nodded, “Okay. I’ll call her now. Did she seem okay?”

Gloria’s face dropped and she whispered, “Not exactly. She said it was about Marmie.”

“Okay, thank you.” She smiled, and I turned to leave her to her tasks.

It seemed as though the mention of her name had summoned more Marmie-related drama into my life. Just as I was about to return to my office, two FBI agents entered the scene. My g***n of frustration was cut short as I quickly composed myself, turning to greet them with a polite nod. However, the weariness etched on their faces told a story of their own.

“Mr. Astor,” Agent Johnson held a hand out, which I shook. “Is there somewhere private we could speak?”

I led them into my office, closing the door behind us. The air grew heavy with anticipation as I took a seat behind my desk, observing the agents closely. Their serious expressions heightened my sense of unease, and I braced myself for whatever news they were about to deliver.

I sat in my chair, motioning for the officers to sit in the chairs across from me.

“So, what did you need to speak to me about?”

Agent Ramirez pulled out a notepad and pen and asked, “When was the last time you saw Marmie?”

I looked at him with raised brows. “I can’t remember. Over a month at least. I went to her apartment about two weeks ago, but she wasn’t there. I talked to her new boyfriend. I can’t remember his name. What’s this about?”

The agents didn’t even look at each other. Agent Ramirez instead dove right into his next questions.

“Where were you last night between 8:00 PM and 12:00 AM?” He looked at me with a menacing glare, but I stared at him with a steady gaze.

“I was at home with my wife, Shelby. Can you please tell me what’s going on now?”

Agent Johnson sighed. “We’re sorry to inform you of this but, Marmie is dead. We suspect foul play.”

I slumped back in my chair, lost in thought as I tried to make sense of it all. Marmie’s death had cast a new layer of complexity onto everything and although I felt relieved that she was gone, I couldn’t help but feel uneasy about what her demise could mean.

My heart skipped a beat, and a mixture of shock and disbelief flooded my system. Marmie, the woman who had orchestrated so much pain and suffering, had met her end. The news hit me like a sucker punch, leaving me momentarily speechless.

She was Lauren’s mother, no matter how much of a monster she was. My poor daughter. I knew she’d feel guilty after the way the last few months had gone. I hope she didn’t blame herself. Marmie brought it all on herself.

A complex mix of emotions swirled within me. On one hand, a burden seemed to lift from my shoulders, knowing that Marmie’s reign of manipulation and deceit had come to an end. But there was also a lingering unease, a feeling that this chapter was far from closed.

My thoughts drifted to Lauren as the gravity of the situation settled over me. I knew this news would be hard for her to process, especially after all she’s been through lately. She needed closure from her past, and now, with her mother suddenly gone, it felt like that chance had been snatched away from her.

I knew I was going to have to tell her soon, but I wanted to put it off until I got more answers from the FBI about the circumstances of Marmie’s death. Still, she would need me now more than ever. I sent off a text asking her to call if she needed anything.

My thoughts turned to Shelby, to the delicate balance we were striving to maintain amidst the chaos. I knew that she needed me now more than ever, that our love and support were vital in navigating this storm together. The news of Marmie’s death could offer a semblance of closure, but it also raised new questions and uncertainties.

Marmie’s death might be a significant development, but it was far from the end of our journey. There were still battles to be fought, and justice to be served.

She was just one chapter in our story, and there were many more pages to be written.

Then, something else occurred to me. Why the hell were they asking me where I was last night?