Chapter 3 - THE NAME HE NEVER ASKED ABOUT
"Holloway Infrastructure," Nathan said.
Ethan's face changed.
Every developer in the Southeast knew the company.
Airports.
Hospitals.
Transit corridors.
Commercial districts.
Its late founder, Samuel Holloway, had built a fortune.
Ethan looked at Grace.
"That was your father?"
"Yes."
"You lied to me."
"No."
Grace's voice stayed calm.
"I told you my father built a construction company."
"You never asked its name."
Caleb tapped the documents.
"The first $1.8 million that kept Walker Development alive came from Wren Holdings."
Ethan shook his head.
"No."
Grace looked tired.
"You were too proud to take money from me."
"So I invested through my family office."
Ethan stared.
"You made me a charity case."
"I kept your company alive because I believed in you."
Lauren watched them carefully.
Caleb continued.
"Wren's agreement protects Grace if company funds are stolen, if her approval is forged, or if personal harm is connected to corporate misconduct."
Lauren's eyes flicked toward him.
Grace noticed.
"Why do you care about that clause?"
Lauren recovered.
"I don't."
Marcus placed a black drive on the table.
"Then maybe explain why your laptop accessed Grace's ownership file at 2:13 this morning."
Ethan turned.
"Lauren?"
She stepped toward the door.
Marcus blocked it.
Grace stared at the woman who had walked into her anniversary dinner.
The affair suddenly looked like the smallest part of the problem.
"You knew who I was before Ethan did," Grace said.
May you like
Lauren's silence answered her.
And Grace realized Lauren had not entered her marriage by accident.
