Chapter Seventy Seven

Ryan Carter had based his existence on the idea that losing control was a tragedy, but losing money was a hardship.

Both were slipping through his fingers that morning.

Ryan's financial director was across the office desk, holding a report he'd been putting off for weeks. The statistics were ruthless. His only remaining chance was the merger that was supposed to save Carter Holdings after reckless investments had depleted the company's funds and creditors were demanding repayment.

The director said that "the merger committee may retreat if they understand how serious our position is."

Ryan loosened his tie. "They will not hear it from us," he said.

"They have already requested updated financial information. And there's another issue. Legal benefits tied to your marriage are part of the arrangement. If your divorce becomes public before the merger closes, those benefits might vanish," the financial director said.

Ryan looked at him for a while.

Emily had applied for a divorce after finding out about his affair with Vanessa. He had prepared himself for months of debates, tears, and perhaps rage. He hadn't anticipated her tenacity becoming a risk to all he possessed.

Ryan ordered, "Keep the merger on schedule."

"And if Emily's divorce becomes public?" The financial director asked.

"Then I'll handle it," he said.

Without appearing persuaded, the director departed.

Ryan stayed in his seat, gazing at the wedding picture on his desk. He could still recall the expression on Emily's face when she discovered him with Vanessa. He recalled the instant her trust was broken, but some foolish portion of him had thought she would eventually come back.

For reasons he could never admit to her, he now needed the marriage he had ruined.

His phone started to ringl. The screen displayed the name of his lawyer.

The lawyer said, "Ryan, we need to talk about the divorce timeline." "Your marital status is causing concern among the merger committee."

Ryan briefly closed his eyes.

"Is it possible to postpone the proceedings?" Ryan asked.

"Perhaps, but you shouldn't assume Emily will be cooperative."

Ryan ended the conversation with a frigid sense of fear. He could postpone the financial crisis for a short time, put pressure on the negotiations, and make pledges to investors. However, he was unable to make Emily fall in love with him once more.

More than the debt, that truth terrified him.

___

Sophia placed the contractor's statement on her desk in her office.

With her pulse quickening, Emily leaned forward. "Explain to me what he verified."

Sophia said, "He verified getting two different permits about security at your parents' house." "The first is connected to Ryan's father, with Victor's authorization appearing in the accompanying records. The second instructed the contractor to report any attempt by your parents to contact the police."

Emily's knees were bent against her fingertips. "And the person who delivered the second authorization?" She asked.

Sophia said, "The contractor recalls the delivery, but the formal identification must still be completed by the investigator." "Until the facts support it, we will not name anyone."

Emily glanced at the statement. The facts surrounding the demise of her parents had been hidden for years by missing paperwork, financial transactions, and the expertly made excuses of others.

"How long will it take for us to bring this up with Victor?" asked Emily.

Sophia responded, "Soon, assuming the investigator obtains the testimony and confirms the other details." "His lawyer has asked for access to the statement. Victor is aware of the danger, according to this."

Emily got up and approached the window. "This inquiry must finish; I don't want to spend another month pursuing documents," she said.

Sophia said, "me too." "But if we hurry and give Victor a cause to reject the testimony, we risk losing our best chance to hold him responsible."

Emily's gaze was drawn back. "Then defend the statement. I won't allow him to destroy it."

Reaching for her phone, Sophia nodded.

___

Damian came in not quite long after that. His expression softened as soon as he saw Emily. Even though he had driven directly from Knight Global, the tightness in his shoulders indicated that his day had been anything but tranquil.

"You seem as if you have been fighting the entire globe," Emily stated.

Damian answered, "Only those components that refuse to cooperate."

She nearly smiled. "That seems tiring," she said.

"Let me take you out on a date tonight, it would be less tiring."

Emily lowered her glance to the documents. "You complicate common things," she said.

"Maybe it's because I'm always attempting to express something mundane when I really mean something else," Damian admitted.

Although her heart skipped a beat, she didn't want to make things simple for him.

"And what do you mean?" Asked Emily.

Damian observed him for a while. He wished to let her know that being away from her for even one day seemed like a punishment, that the idea of raising their child alone frightened him, and that the individual he most wanted to protect had been harmed by his doubts.

"I want to know you're taking care of yourself," he said instead.

Emily's grin dimmed a little. "You can ask me that without making it appear to be the only thing on your mind."

He turned his gaze.

"I'm aware," Damian murmured.

For a while, neither spoke. Their thoughts stayed in between them, agonizingly clear and unsaid.

Sophia's phone then began to ring.

Before hanging up the phone, she listened intently, her face becoming more focused.

"The investigator has just told me that Victor's attorney is requesting an immediate review of the contractor's statement," Sophia said. "Victor has also requested a meeting with the board this afternoon."

Damian's expression became sterner. "He's getting ready to hit before the testimony can hurt him," he said.

Emily extended her hand to her purse. "Let him find out that I am no longer afraid of facing him."

Damian stepped up next to her, close enough for them to be almost touching shoulders.

"You will not confront him by yourself," Damian said.

Emily gazed at him, eager to believe that this time his vow would withstand his dread.

Sophia's phone buzzed again once more before they could go. She received a text message.

She lifted her eyes slowly after reading the message and said, "The investigator has discovered a discrepancy in the second authorization." "And if the paper is genuine, it might completely alter what we believed about the person who was responsible that evening.”