Chapter 9 - The Cole Name
Nathan had only one close relative still involved in Cole Capital.
His uncle, Martin Cole.
Martin had served as interim CEO after Nathan’s father died and still chaired the family trust committee.
Nathan wanted Victoria to be lying.
Instead, she sent him a scanned email from four years earlier.
FROM: MARTIN COLE
TO: CHARLES WHITMORE
Grace Bennett is becoming a distraction. Nathan will not make rational decisions while she is in his life.
Nathan felt physically ill.
He called Martin and told him to come to the house.
Martin arrived furious.
“You are blowing up a merger over some maid’s accusation.”
Nathan placed the DNA result on the table.
“My daughter.”
Martin stopped talking.
Then Nathan showed him the email.
Martin’s face hardened.
“I wanted Grace gone. I did not authorize threats.”
“You told Charles she was a problem.”
“Yes.”
“Did you know she was pregnant?”
“No.”
Nathan watched him carefully.
“Did you know someone tampered with my brakes?”
Martin’s head snapped up.
“What?”
That reaction looked real.
But Nathan no longer trusted reactions.
Martin admitted he had worked with Charles to separate Nathan from Grace because Cole Capital was preparing a major alliance with Whitmore Holdings.
“Your father had just died,” Martin said. “You were twenty-seven and ready to walk away from the company for a woman with no interest in our world.”
Nathan slammed his palm on the table.
“She was my world.”
Martin went silent.
Grace, standing in the doorway, heard every word.
Nathan turned.
Her eyes were wet.
Then Martin said something worse.
“The alliance was never just business.”
Nathan looked back.
“What does that mean?”
May you like
Martin swallowed.
“Your father and Charles had discussed you marrying Victoria before your father died.”
