The Billionaire's Widow

7

Hailey’s POV

“Mr. Clark! How are you today?” I asked warmly.

“Hailey, I’m wonderful. And you? How are the kids?”

I smiled. “They’re doing great, sir. What brings you to me today?”

He chuckled softly. “Business, as always. I have a client I’d like to introduce to you. Big name—you’ll recognize him the moment you see him. I was thinking we could meet today?”

I checked the time. “Well, you know me, Mr. Clark. I never say no to new opportunities. I have time—you can come by and I’ll have the boardroom ready.”

“Excellent. I’ll see you soon.”

As soon as the call ended, I picked up the phone. “Paige?”

“Yes, Mrs. Anders?”

“Get the boardroom ready. I have an important meeting in a few minutes.”

“May I ask how long it might last?” she asked. I cringed a little—until she clarified, “Just so I know whether to reschedule your other appointments for later or push them to tomorrow.”

That made sense.

“I’m not sure how long it will take. Just move everything to tomorrow. I won’t feel like doing anything else after this meeting.”

“Understood. I’ll handle it.”

“Thank you. Oh—and Paige?”

“Yes?”

“I want Stewart and Rogers in that meeting. Tell them to come to my office right away.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Paige’s POV

If anyone ever told you to believe in luck, they weren’t lying. If today wasn’t my luckiest day, I don’t know what is. Out of nowhere, the stars aligned and sent Mr. Clark to Hailey—meaning she’d be buried in meetings until who-knows-when. Which meant… I could finally go get my brother.

Wait. Hold on.

What if she suddenly calls me for something? What if she needs files from the office or asks me to bring coffee?

Panic started to bubble up again.

I don’t even have a bloody car.

Then it hit me. Yes!

I grabbed my phone and called the one person who could pull this off without raising suspicion. “Bobby? Hi.”

“Miss Carson,” he answered smoothly.

“Um… are you in the building?”

“Does the boss need to go somewhere?”

“Not exactly. She’s in a meeting. But I need a favor.”

“What kind of favor?”

I cleared my throat. “Okay, so I know you’re the fastest driver I’ve ever seen… and I need someone to pick up my brother from the airport. His flight lands in an hour. His name’s Jason. Of course, I’d do it myself, but I can’t exactly leave while the boss is still in a meeting.”

He hesitated. “Miss Carson, if Mrs. Anders finds out her driver picked up a stranger from the airport, I could lose my job. Why can’t he take a cab?”

“I tried that. I suggested it to my mom but she insisted someone she trusts had to pick him up. Please, Bobby. I promise she won’t know. You’ll be back before she even realizes you’re gone.”

He let out a long sigh.

“Fine. What time does he land?”

I almost screamed. “3:45 p.m. Thank you so much, Bobby. You’re a lifesaver.”

“It’s okay. You seem like a good person. You deserve a little help.”

I smiled. “Thank you.”

“You said Jason Carson?”

“Yes.”

“Alright. I’ll bring him back safely.”

“You’re the best.”

After he hung up, I exhaled the breath I hadn’t realized I was holding. “Thank God.”

Now, the next problem—where would Jason stay while I finish work?

Ron, the doorman, wouldn’t let him up without my approval—and I’d forgotten to notify him. No way was I leaving my baby brother waiting alone in the lobby. At least here, in the office, he could wait out the final stretch of my day, and we’d go home together.

The elevator dinged.

“Jason!!” I ran toward him.

“Paige!” He grinned and pulled me into a tight hug.

“God, you’re so grown up. I missed you.”

“I missed you too.” I grabbed one of his giant suitcases and dragged it toward my desk.

“Is this where you work?” he asked, looking around.

I smiled. “Yup. My boss is still in a meeting, so start praying she stays in there for the next thirty minutes.”

He chuckled. “Relax. She won’t fire you over me.”

I rolled my eyes. “Damn, Jase—who did you think came to pick you up?”

“Oh, that guy? Bobby? His car is insane. Are you hanging out with rich people now?”

I laughed. “Bobby’s just the driver. That’s not his car. It’s my boss’s.”

His eyes went wide. “What?!”

I nodded. “Yup. I had to beg him to go pick you up. I couldn’t leave work.”

He looked at me with new appreciation. “You risked your job—just for me?”

I shrugged. “Of course. You’re my little brother.”

He smiled and kissed my cheek. “Thanks, sis. Mom said you weren’t busy today and could come get me. If I’d known how things really were, I’d have taken a cab.”

Of course she didn’t tell him the truth.

I forced a smile. “It’s okay, Jase. How was the flight?”

“Not bad. I’m just tired.”

I nodded. “You’ll rest once we get to my place. For now, sit over there while I finish up.”

He nodded and dropped into one of the chairs. I handed him my phone.

“Oh, and can you please call Mom and let her know you’re safe and with me? I’m not allowed to make personal calls here.”

“Got it.”

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