Chapter 159

The flight home was short and Pearl was thankful. She was still exhausted from the jet lag. Her new attorney was meeting her the following day to discuss the company and the process with all the legalities with the transfer. Pearl knew she wasn't the person to run it and hoped she could handle it for the five years she needed to before she was able to sell it.

Her and Dylan got back to the house and found a black Escalade parked in the driveway. "Who is that?" Pearl asked.

"I have no idea." Dylan said. They got out of the car and the Escalade door opened.

"Jim?" Jim what are you doing here?" Pearl asked.

"I am your new driver and bodyguard. John hired me just this morning." He said. Pearl smiled and ran to him, hugging him. She missed him.

"But what about Rhys? You've worked for him for years." Pearl asked.

"I'd like to think that I protect people with integrity. I didn't give my life as a navy seal and special op to follow around a spoiled little movie star that enjoys treating people as if they were his toys. I called John and asked to be hired. I'm at your service." He said. Pearl hugged him again.

"Well get your ass inside and have dinner with us." Dylan said.

They talked and laughed and caught up. Jim told them he quit right after LA and after he found out about what Rhys had done with the marriage lie, he went to his house to break his face but found out someone beat him to it. "I got to his house and he was sitting on the couch with an ice pack on his face. His entire left side was black and blue. I always thought the royals were soft. Boy was I wrong." Jim said, laughing. Pearl smiled. You have no idea. She thought.

"Good morning Pearl, I'm Phillip Byers, your new corporate attorney and acting CFO of Trigon until we get better settled."

"It's wonderful to meet you." Pearl said.

"We are waiting on a few more people. Can I get you a coffee or tea?" He asked.

"Tea sounds good. Lots of sugar." She said.

"Pearl!" She turned and saw Maggie walk in.

"Maggie! So great to see you!" Pearl said. "I didn't know you were coming, what a wonderful surprise!"

"I've missed you so much, it's so great to see you, Pearl. How are you doing? I heard about Rhys. I'm so sorry. How awful." Maggie said. "Things are going very well with our company, we have had so much growth it's been a bit overwhelming. I've met with Paul and introduced him to some of the staff here and went over some of the logistics with him. He's a shark. I think he's going to be an asset. Great call on that." She said. Pearl filled her in on her life and possibility plans to move out to Seattle. Maggie was so excited to hear it. "That explains the enormous growth we've had. A prince? Pearl, I'm so happy for you!" Maggie said.

A few others arrived and Phillip started explaining everything. He said the deal was closed and that Pearl was officially the owner and primary share holder. "I've taken the liberty of hiring all of your own people. The new accounting firm is working with the old to transition payroll and other things"

Phillip explained. They then worked through some of the details of operations. "We've had many new investors and we've signed on 10 new accounts in the last two weeks, three of them overseas." Phillip explained.

Philip and Maggie brought up rearranging staffing and making cuts to better equip them with more qualified people.

"No." Pearl said. "No cutting jobs. We can train the employees we already have. I don't want to eliminate one job. Not one." She said.

"Pearl, we already announced that it was coming. It's ok." Phillip said.

"No. It's not. No jobs cut. Hire consultants to train, or add positions. But I don't want to cut anyone's job." She said, firmly.

"Ok, Pearl. We will make it happen." Maggie said, smiling.

Phillip handed Pearl a folder. Inside was bank account information and three credit cards.

"One of them is a company credit card, for any corporate needs that come up. The paperwork and other two cards are your personal bank account, directly for your income from the company." He said.

"This is my personal account?" Pearl asked.

"Yes. Did you not think you would be making a profit?" Philip asked, smiling. "This is what you've accrued income wise since the company transitioned to you." Phillip said.

Pearl looked through the paperwork.

"Oh my god. There is over a million dollars in this account." Pearl said, completely shocked.

"You're now a wealthy woman, Miss Clarke. These are the dividends and distributions, from only about a month. The growth has been enormous since your trip to Italy. I'm certain the investors began to pour in after that. The stock has risen in this company greatly over the last couple of weeks. 112% actually. Congratulations." Philip said.

Pearl couldn't believe it. "Thank you, for everything." She said.

"We will be in touch. I understand you will be at the Seattle office next week. We look forward to seeing you there." Maggie said, hugging her.

Pearl walked out the door and exhaled. Things were falling into place and it felt fantastic. Jim was waiting for her out front. "Jim, my friend, let's get a beer. It's on me." She said, smiling.