Chapter 20 #2
‘Why would Francis try to register Black Diamonds? He doesn’t have a vendetta against you, you said so.
His new business partner on the other hand…
Nick isn’t listed as a director but I just know, Gregory, from last night, from Nick’s knowledge of the gaming industry, it has to be him.
I don’t know what their financial arrangement is but I’m certain Francesco Benedetti and Nick Henshaw are in this together.
They’re trying to steal Black Diamonds.’
He’s silent for a second. ‘That’s not Francis’s way. He’s out for money but he’s not vindictive. He’s not into those kinds of battles. His reputation as an investor would be on the line and like you say, he doesn’t have an issue with me.’
‘So maybe he doesn’t know? He could think he’s investing in gaming software.
Legitimate. Above board. He doesn’t need to know Nick’s motivation.
Black Diamonds has only been on the market for a matter of weeks; it’s feasible that Nick could own the game and be registering the IP as any new owner would.
That could be the story he’s told Francis at least.’
Gregory is quiet again, to the point that I start to wonder if he’s still on the line. Eventually, he snarls, ‘Fucking bastard.’
* * *
‘Ready lady? The only answer to that question is yes, by the way.’ Amanda stands, coat on, handbag over her wrist, at the door to my office.
‘In that case, yes.’
‘You seem distracted,’ she says as we walk towards the dim sum restaurant.
‘Sorry. I am but I won’t be. I’m really looking forward to lunch. Thanks for organising.’
‘You’re also a terrible liar.’
I know that. ‘It’s a failing I was born with.’
‘Is everything okay? Are you and Gregory okay?’
‘Oh, gosh, yes, fine. You remember the game Gregory acquired before St Lucia, and the intellectual property issues?’
‘Right, yep. That’s still going on?’
I pull open the heavy glass door to the restaurant. ‘After you. Yes, it’s still going on. Bit of a mess really.’
‘That’s all? You’re sure?’
I laugh internally at Amanda’s simplistic view of everything work-related. ‘Yes, that’s all.’
There are already ten others from my office seated at benches. We eat far too many dumplings on a long wooden table then I’m presented with spa vouchers for two as a leaving gift. From the look on Amanda’s face, I know the identity of my intended guest.
My phone vibrates for the second time in ten minutes and I’m desperate to answer but Amanda has gone to a lot of trouble, so instead, I watch Gregory’s name light up the screen before a message comes through.
Can you come here?
After saying my goodbyes and giving my final handover notes for Mr Ghurair’s transaction to Amanda, I leave. Jackson comes to my office and carries my box to the Mercedes as I take in the space one last time.
The end of an era. So much has happened in five months and it all started with one pitch. One boardroom. One glance. I roll my engagement ring between my fingers and close the door on old Scarlett Heath.
Daughter. Trainee. Associate. Senior Associate. Legal Director.
By the time I reach the lift, I realise a new door has opened, a new chapter has begun, and a new, stronger version of Scarlett Heath has been born.
* * *
Jackson takes my box, together with my wool coat and dripping-wet dome umbrella, to my new office whilst I head in search of Gregory.
The staff outside his office appear sheepish. As I approach the frosted glass door, Stuart comes out looking like he’s just witnessed an unhappy CEO.
‘Hi, Stuart.’
Those familiar eyes soften. ‘Hi, Scarlett.’ His voice betrays his disheartened mood and gives me a small insight into what’s waiting behind the door.
Gregory is pacing, the tails of his blazer pushed back by his hands in his pockets, his tie looser than usual at his neck, hair out of place like he’s dragged his fingers through it. Even the air in the room is tense.
‘Close the door,’ he snaps.
I do so, taking steps into the middle of the office.
‘You were right,’ he says, pausing but facing out to the city. ‘It’s Nick fucking Henshaw.’
I nod but don’t speak.
‘Stuart swears he has nothing to do with it. Says he’s never heard of Nick or Francis.’
‘Do we believe him?’
‘He swore on his mother’s life. That’s not something a man does lightly.’
I venture forward now, taking a seat in the chair opposite Gregory’s desk. The black leather is still warm. No doubt Stuart got a thorough dressing-down. Most likely a threat on his life if he so much as thinks about crossing Gregory.
Gregory laughs now, sardonically, and strokes his forefinger and thumb along his jawline, his other hand still resting on his hip. ‘He wants a payout.’
I had suspected as much but I let him speak.
‘Three fucking million. Three. Fucking. Million. It’s nothing to do with the fucking game.’
‘He wants money because you forced him to resign.’
‘Fucking prick.’
‘I had a feeling that would be the case once I realised it was him. The way he spoke at the gala, he—’
‘Well, fucking marvellous, Scarlett. When the fuck were you going to share that feeling with me?’
I stand abruptly from my chair.
‘Attitude check, Ryans. Right the hell now! Or you can stare at my back as I walk out of this office and leave you in the shit.’
He turns from the window and opens his mouth to protest. He doesn’t apologise but he does move to sit into his desk chair opposite me, putting us on the same level when I sit, too.
‘I’ve been thinking about it all morning,’ I say calmly.
‘I’m all ears.’ His tone is as tame as I suspect this hungry lion is going to get.
‘Stuart created the game. If we believe he isn’t involved, he still has certain unregistered intellectual property rights.’
‘Does that help us?’
‘Absolutely, so long as we can prove it. If Nick’s demanding money, it tells me he doesn’t really want Black Diamonds.
If he wanted to set up alone and put a new game on the market, he would; he has the knowledge to do it.
He’s trying to threaten you that he can use whatever version of Black Diamonds he has to eat into your Jail Run profits.
He’ll know that’s why you wanted Black Diamonds. ’
‘I think I’m following.’ Given the speed the words are leaving my mouth, that’s nothing short of a miracle. ‘He thinks the threat of him having the game on the market is worth three million pounds to me.’
‘Right. So let’s call his bluff. Let’s make it so he doesn’t have the threat of taking his Black Diamonds to market. Then he has nothing on you.’
Gregory’s eyes widen and he sits a little straighter in his chair. ‘How do we do that?’
‘We fight him. In China, the US, Europe. We make a case against his registration of the game. We claim ownership. It’s not a cheap plan. It will cost you.’
‘But it’ll be a damn sight cheaper than three million pounds.’
‘Precisely.’
He leans back in his chair, his eyes distant as he processes the idea, his fingertips forming a steeple that rests against his chin. ‘And whilst you’re working on that, I’ll take pleasure in letting Francis know exactly who he’s getting involved with.’
‘He’ll pull the funding?’
‘I’m almost certain of it.’