Chapter 15 - THE PRICE OF A NAME
The board called an emergency meeting before noon.
The trust clause threatened to hand voting control to Noah as Ryan's legal guardian until Ryan turned twenty-one.
Noah laughed when the lawyers explained it.
"I fix boats."
One director leaned forward. "Mr. Bennett, you would control assets worth over two billion dollars."
"I heard you."
Daniel watched the room study Noah like wolves studying a new gate.
Claire whispered, "This is what Conrad was afraid of."
Not Ryan.
Losing control.
The board offered Noah a deal.
Keep Ryan's paternity private. Let Daniel remain chief executive. In exchange, Ryan would receive a protected cash trust.
Ryan heard enough from the hallway.
He walked in.
"No."
The chairman blinked. "Excuse me?"
"You want to pay me to disappear."
"No one said-"
"My grandpa did it to my mom. Now you're doing it with nicer chairs."
Silence.
Claire almost smiled.
Daniel stood beside him.
"He's right."
The board turned on Daniel.
"If you reject this arrangement, you may lose the company."
Daniel looked at Ryan.
Then at Claire.
Then at a photo of Lily on his phone, asleep with a bandage at her hairline.
"Good."
Daniel removed his access badge and placed it on the table.
"My father nearly killed people to keep this chair. I'm not teaching these kids it matters more than they do."
Outside, Ryan asked, "You quit because of me?"
"No."
"Then why?"
"Because I should have years ago."
Ryan studied him.
"You're still not my dad."
Daniel nodded.
"I know."
"But Mom picked you."
"To find."
Ryan shoved his hands in his pockets.
"She said you used to be brave."
Daniel laughed softly. "Your mom remembers a very generous version of me."
Ryan walked a few steps, then stopped.
"Maybe you can try again."
Before Daniel could answer, Ortiz called.
Conrad had made a deal from his hospital bed.
He would identify everyone involved in the cover-up.
In exchange, he wanted one thing.
Ten minutes alone with Ryan.
Daniel said no immediately.
Then Ortiz added, "Ryan's name is on a letter Conrad wrote eleven years ago."
May you like
Ryan looked at Daniel.
"I want to know what it says."
