Chapter 3 - The Account They Needed
Ethan sat down hard.
"You knew about the deal?"
"I knew about Mitchell Development. I didn't know Vanessa's family controlled it until this week."
He looked stunned.
I had kept my professional life separate from his relationship on purpose. Ethan knew I chaired Carter Meridian, but he did not discuss my deals and I did not investigate his dates.
Until a compliance analyst sent me a note that changed that.
I showed him the message.
MITCHELL FILE CONTAINS CONFLICTING APPRAISALS. EXECUTIVE SPONSOR REQUESTED EXCEPTION.
The executive sponsor was Ethan.
His jaw tightened.
"I didn't request an exception."
"The system says you did."
"I never touched that file."
I believed him.
That worried me more.
A knock hit the study door.
Vanessa entered without waiting.
She had changed her expression before she crossed the threshold. No contempt now. Just swollen eyes and soft remorse.
"Mrs. Carter, I am so embarrassed."
"Are you?"
"I thought you were trespassing. Security has been a nightmare today."
Ethan said, "You called her a beggar."
Vanessa reached for his hand. He moved it away.
Her face twitched.
"I made a terrible joke. I'm sorry."
I asked, "Why did your mother say everything would fall apart if I got involved?"
Vanessa froze.
"What?"
I played the recording.
Patricia's whisper filled the room.
Vanessa's eyes sharpened.
"You recorded us?"
Interesting.
Not I can't believe she said that.
Not I don't know what she meant.
You recorded us.
"Yes," I said.
Her apology disappeared.
"That's illegal."
"Not in the way you hope."
Ethan stepped between us. "Answer the question."
Vanessa looked at him, then at me.
"My mother worries you'll interfere with the wedding."
"Why?"
"Because you control Ethan."
I laughed.
Ethan didn't.
Then Vanessa made the mistake that turned my suspicion into certainty.
She said, "And because you can stop the Atlanta account."
May you like
Ethan slowly looked at her.
I had never told Vanessa I knew about Atlanta.
