24 Hours Ago**
Jerry Fisher stormed out of Maverick Corporation, filled with rage, contempt, and jealousy toward Seraphina. Most of all, he was panicking. How on earth was he going to explain to the Board of Directors and the heads of the Fisher family that he had lost a two hundred million dollar contract?
The Fishers had already arranged a settlement with the Bishops to increase their chances of securing the contract. Now, not only had he failed to get the contract, but the settlement with the Bishops had also gone to waste.
Jerry stormed into his car and drove off, his mind far from the road as he tried to come up with a believable explanation to give to his superiors and to himself. He thought of many, but none seemed to make enough sense.
Then, suddenly, it hit him. A few days ago, he had heard rumors of Ethan Bishop offering a certain someone the Maverick contract in exchange for their hand in marriage. He had also heard that the deal didn't go through.
But what if it did? It would explain everything. That certain someone was Seraphina Lockwood. Since their marriage wasn't public, it would mean they had come to some secret agreement behind closed doors.
Jerry Fisher, still fuming, but now also ecstatic with satisfaction at having found an explanation that made sense, snatched his phone. With one hand on the wheel, he dialed a number with the other.
"Hello, you have reached the Bishop Line. How may I help you?" the feminine voice at the other end of the phone said.
"Connect me with Ethan Bishop," Jerry demanded.
"I'm sorry, but your number doesn't have the clearance to receive such a request," the polite voice replied.
This made Jerry infuriated.
"What! Do you have any idea who I am? I am Jerry Fisher of the Fisher Group!" he boasted in rage.
"Mr. Fisher, I am deeply sorry for your frustration. Is there any other way I may be of service?"
"I said connect me to Ethan Bishop!" he yelled.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Fisher, but your number doesn't have the necessary clearance for me to authorize your request."
Jerry let out an audible sigh of frustration. "You know what? Fuck this bullshit," he said and hung up the call before dialing yet another number.
This time, he was dialing Ethan Bishop's personal line, which he had managed to acquire during a golf club exhibition. Ethan Bishop had been well inebriated and gave Jerry his personal number without realizing it. Jerry had been saving it for an important time, and this was as important as any.
"Hello, who is this?" Ethan Bishop answered, his voice groggy as he held an ice towel over his still swollen nose.
"This is Jerry Fisher."
"Oh, hey Jerry, it's been a long time. I was wondering when you would use my number," Ethan Bishop said.
Apparently, he wasn't as unconscious as Jerry had thought.
"Cut the crap, Ethan. You screwed us over, didn't you?"
"What? I have no idea what you are talking about," Ethan said.
"The Bishops agreed to help the Fishers score the Maverick contract in exchange for a settlement, yet you stabbed us in the back for that cheap whore."
"Jerry, I still have no idea what you are talking about, and I would appreciate it if you made your point quickly. I have a TV interview to prepare for."
"Stop the charade, Ethan. Seraphina Lockwood already got the contract. I just want you to fess up to what you did. Was she that good in bed that you not only offered her the Maverick contract but also your silence?"
At the mention of Seraphina Lockwood's name, it clicked for Ethan. Seraphina had gotten the Maverick contract. But how could this be possible?
He had made the necessary measures to ensure that Seraphina didn't get the contract. Either way, he had to find a way to salvage the situation in his favor. He would rather look like a jerk than a loser.
Ethan cleared his throat and rearranged his composure.
"Come on now, you know I am not one to kiss and tell," he said with a mischievous smirk.
"You sly fox, how dare you?"
"I'm sorry, her offer was just too good for me to pass up."
"Which was what exactly?" Jerry asked.
"A night in paradise in exchange for a hundred million dollar contract. Come on, man, you've seen the curves on her body. Only a fool would pass that up."
"Alright, I've heard enough," Jerry said.
"I'm so sorry, my good friend."
"No, you're not," Jerry said and hung up the call. On his phone screen, it was bodly written: **{YOUR LAST CALL HAS BEEN RECORDED AND SAVED}**
He had what he needed: audio confirmation of the truth. He forwarded the audio to the executive members of the Fisher Group and let out a sigh of relief.
Suddenly, a wicked plan crossed his mind. He picked up the phone and forwarded the recording to Daniel Lockwood.