In the Lap of Luxury by Unsweetened Chestnuts

It was the end of the month, and the construction of the Eastwood property had begun to slow down.

Desperate, Jessica had visited the construction site several times and gradually uncovered some shady dealings.

After shopping, she returned home to find a car parked at her doorstep. Pushing the door open, she saw a burly figure inside.

"Ryan? What brings you here so suddenly?"

Ryan Madden, president of Eastwood Construction, turned around and immediately kneeled before her.

"Ms. Landon, please, you must help me!"

Jessica's expression turned sour.

Five minutes later, Jessica swept everything off the table onto the floor in a fit of rage.

"This is a government project, and you dared to misuse the funds! Are you out of your mind?"

Ryan kneeled with his head lowered and explained, "I never meant to use so much of the money. But then the hole just kept getting bigger, and I couldn't plug it."

Shaking with anger and breaking out in cold sweat, Jessica demanded, "How much is left?"

Just under half of

out her phone. "Damn it! I'm calling the police right now to have you

the money back! Think twice! If the authorities investigate, I would be finished, but

construction can't continue as

were gone. She had no way of raising that kind

his eyes filled with greed. "I came to you to tell you I

"What is it?"

a car pulling over outside. Jessica stood up and peered out the window to

in the bathroom!" she instructed

and heard a

is it?" she asked in

me," Benjamin answered in a

regained her composure

he stepped in. "Do you have a guest

one's here. What makes

lingered on the chaotic table as he caught

nose is really

turned to pour a glass of water, trying to change the subject. "Didn't Grace confront you about Willow? Why do you

leak that information. She figured