Chapter 4: ## Chapter 4: The Woman Behind the Fortune
Maya Bennett had spent eleven: The Woman Behind the Fortune
Maya Bennett had spent eleven months wondering whether Ryan Whitmore would love her if he knew she was rich.
By months wondering whether Ryan Whitmore would love her if he knew she was rich.
By sunrise, she had a much more important sunrise, she had a much more important question.
How far would his family go to steal a fortune they believed was already within their reach?
At question.
How far would his family go to steal a fortune they believed was already within their reach?
At 7:15 the next morning, Maya stepped into the private conference room at Bennett Meridian Group's Boston headquarters. The city 7:15 the next morning, Maya stepped into the private conference room at Bennett Meridian Group's Boston headquarters. The city was still waking beneath a pale November sky, but the thirty-eight was still waking beneath a pale November sky, but the thirty-eight-story building was already alive with activity. Assistants hurried through glass corridors.
Executives whispered over tablets. Security personnel-story building was already alive with activity. Assistants hurried through glass corridors.
Executives whispered over tablets. Security personnel stood outside the elevators.
Maya wore a tailored charcoal suit, understated diamond earrings, and her grandmother's watch.
There was no reason to dress like someone else anymore.
Eleanor Price, the group's general counsel, stood beside a wall-mounted stood outside the elevators.
Maya wore a tailored charcoal suit, understated diamond earrings, and her grandmother's watch.
There was no reason to dress like someone else anymore.
Eleanor Price, the group's general counsel, stood beside a wall-mounted display showing a photograph of Charles Whitmore shaking hands with a man Maya recognized from display showing a photograph of Charles Whitmore shaking hands with a man Maya recognized from the investment industry.
"Good morning, Miss Bennett.""
"Good morning, Eleanor. Tell me exactly what the Whitmores have done.""
Eleanor the investment industry.
"Good morning, Miss Bennett.""
"Good morning, Eleanor. Tell me exactly what the Whitmores have done.""
Eleanor tapped her tablet.
"Whitmore Holdings has been negotiating the acquisition of a regional commercial property tapped her tablet.
"Whitmore Holdings has been negotiating the acquisition of a regional commercial property portfolio. The transaction requires approximately six hundred million dollars in financing. Your grandfather's investment office was approached several weeks ago, but portfolio.
The transaction requires approximately six hundred million dollars in financing. Your grandfather's investment office was approached several weeks ago, but no final commitment was made.""
"And Charles is telling people we approved it?""
"He's telling them that your family has given no final commitment was made.""
"And Charles is telling people we approved it?""
"He's telling them that your family has given its verbal support. According to two investors, he specifically mentioned your relationship with Ryan as evidence that the partnership was its verbal support. According to two investors, he specifically mentioned your relationship with Ryan as evidence that the partnership was secure.""
Maya pulled out a chair.
"Did anyone from our office promise him secure.""
Maya pulled out a chair.
"Did anyone from our office promise him anything?""
"No.""
"Did I?""
"Absolutely not.""
"Then why is he using my name?""
Eleanor's expression hardened.
"Because he believes your relationship will make it difficult for you to contradict anything?""
"No.""
"Did I?""
"Absolutely not.""
"Then why is he using my name?""
Eleanor's expression hardened.
"Because he believes your relationship will make it difficult for you to contradict him publicly.""
Maya stared at the photograph.
Charles had sat across from her at Thanksgiving, questioning him publicly.""
Maya stared at the photograph.
Charles had sat across from her at Thanksgiving, questioning her financial stability while apparently counting on her family's money to rescue his company.
"Get her financial stability while apparently counting on her family's money to rescue his company.
"Get me every document connected to this transaction," she said.
"Emails, draft agreements, investor presentations, internal messages. me every document connected to this transaction," she said.
"Emails, draft agreements, investor presentations, internal messages. Everything.""
"Your grandfather asked me to remind you that we can withdraw from the discussions immediately.""
"Do that. No Everything.""
"Your grandfather asked me to remind you that we can withdraw from the discussions immediately.""
"Do that. No commitment exists, so there is nothing to withdraw. Notify everyone involved that Bennett Meridian has made no financing commitment exists, so there is nothing to withdraw. Notify everyone involved that Bennett Meridian has made no financing promise and has not authorized the Whitmore family to use our name.""
Eleanor nodded.
" promise and has not authorized the Whitmore family to use our name.""
Eleanor nodded.
"Would you like us to issue a public statement?""
"Not yet. First, I want to know whether this was simplyWould you like us to issue a public statement?""
"Not yet. First, I want to know whether this was simply Charles exaggerating his prospects or whether he deliberately misrepresented our position.""
Eleanor slid a folder across the table.
"We Charles exaggerating his prospects or whether he deliberately misrepresented our position.""
Eleanor slid a folder across the table.
"We may have an answer.""
Inside were screenshots of emails exchanged between Charles and his chief financial may have an answer.""
Inside were screenshots of emails exchanged between Charles and his chief financial officer.
One message had been sent four days earlier.
*Once the relationship becomes public, Bennett Meridian won't risk officer.
One message had been sent four days earlier.
Once the relationship becomes public, Bennett Meridian won't risk embarrassing Maya by allowing the transaction to collapse. Charles believes the family will have to honor the arrangement eventually embarrassing Maya by allowing the transaction to collapse. Charles believes the family will have to honor the arrangement eventually.
Maya read it again.
Then she looked up.
"Who wrote this?""
"Our preliminary review suggests the CFO, Martin.*
Maya read it again.
Then she looked up.
"Who wrote this?""
"Our preliminary review suggests the CFO, Martin Hale. We don't yet know whether Charles instructed him to write it.""
Maya closed the folder.
" Hale. We don't yet know whether Charles instructed him to write it.""
Maya closed the folder.
"Then let's find out.""
Her phone vibrated.
Ryan's name appeared on the screen.
She watched it ring until itThen let's find out.""
Her phone vibrated.
Ryan's name appeared on the screen.
She watched it ring until it stopped.
A message arrived immediately.
Please answer. I haven't slept. I need to explain what happened.
M stopped.
A message arrived immediately.
Please answer. I haven't slept. I need to explain what happened.
Maya placed the phone facedown.
Eleanor noticed.
"Would you like me to have your calls screened today?""
aya placed the phone facedown.
Eleanor noticed.
"Would you like me to have your calls screened today?""
"Only business calls. If Ryan wants to apologize, he can do it without interrupting the work his family"Only business calls. If Ryan wants to apologize, he can do it without interrupting the work his family has made necessary.""
Eleanor gave a small nod.
"Understood.""
Maya stood and walked toward the windows has made necessary.""
Eleanor gave a small nod.
"Understood.""
Maya stood and walked toward the windows.
Far below, traffic flowed through the streets. People carried coffee into office buildings, hurried across.
Far below, traffic flowed through the streets. People carried coffee into office buildings, hurried across intersections, and climbed aboard buses. Most of them had no idea that one of the city's wealthiest families was about intersections, and climbed aboard buses. Most of them had no idea that one of the city's wealthiest families was about to discover how quickly a supposed business empire could collapse when its promised money vanished.
Maya had grown up believing that wealth to discover how quickly a supposed business empire could collapse when its promised money vanished.
Maya had grown up believing that wealth was a responsibility, not a weapon.
She still believed that.
But responsibility sometimes meant refusing to let people use your resources was a responsibility, not a weapon.
She still believed that.
But responsibility sometimes meant refusing to let people use your resources to protect their lies.
"Schedule a meeting with our investment committee," she said.
"And find to protect their lies.
"Schedule a meeting with our investment committee," she said.
"And find out when the Whitmores' press conference begins.""
"Ten thirty," Eleanor replied.
Maya checked out when the Whitmores' press conference begins.""
"Ten thirty," Eleanor replied.
Maya checked the clock.
"We have three hours.""
Eleanor studied her face.
"Are you certain you want to attend?""
Maya the clock.
"We have three hours.""
Eleanor studied her face.
"Are you certain you want to attend?""
Maya turned from the window.
"They used my name to secure a deal I never approved. They humiliated me in their home turned from the window.
"They used my name to secure a deal I never approved. They humiliated me in their home, then assumed I would be too embarrassed to challenge them. Yes, Eleanor. I'll attend.""
"And if Ryan, then assumed I would be too embarrassed to challenge them. Yes, Eleanor. I'll attend.""
"And if Ryan is there?""
Maya's expression softened for a fraction of a second.
"Especially if Ryan is there.""
At is there?""
Maya's expression softened for a fraction of a second.
"Especially if Ryan is there.""
At 8:40, Ryan arrived at Maya's apartment building carrying a bouquet of white roses.
He had called8:40, Ryan arrived at Maya's apartment building carrying a bouquet of white roses.
He had called fourteen times.
Maya had ignored every call.
Now he stood outside her door, looking as though he had aged several fourteen times.
Maya had ignored every call.
Now he stood outside her door, looking as though he had aged several years overnight.
When Maya opened the door, he immediately stepped forward.
"Thank God. I've been trying to reach you all years overnight.
When Maya opened the door, he immediately stepped forward.
"Thank God. I've been trying to reach you all night.""
She remained in the doorway.
"Why are you here?""
"Because I love you.""
He held out night.""
She remained in the doorway.
"Why are you here?""
"Because I love you.""
He held out the roses.
She looked at them but didn't take them.
"Is that why you're here?""
His hand dropped the roses.
She looked at them but didn't take them.
"Is that why you're here?""
His hand dropped slightly.
"What does that mean?""
"It means you have spent eleven months knowing where slightly.
"What does that mean?""
"It means you have spent eleven months knowing where I live, what I do for work, and what kind of car I drive. Yet you never came here to tell I live, what I do for work, and what kind of car I drive. Yet you never came here to tell me you loved me after what happened yesterday. You came after you saw the Bugatti.""
me you loved me after what happened yesterday. You came after you saw the Bugatti.""
Ryan looked stricken.
"That's not fair.""
"Then explain why you didn't call me when I left your house.""
"I didRyan looked stricken.
"That's not fair.""
"Then explain why you didn't call me when I left your house.""
"I did call you.""
"After your mother and sister came outside and saw my call you.""
"After your mother and sister came outside and saw my car.""
He opened his mouth, then closed it.
Maya folded her arms.
"Why didn't you defend me at dinner?""
Ryan stared car.""
He opened his mouth, then closed it.
Maya folded her arms.
"Why didn't you defend me at dinner?""
Ryan stared at the roses.
"I was trying to keep things from getting worse.""
"For whom?""
"For everyone.""
"Everyone except me.""
His shoulders sl at the roses.
"I was trying to keep things from getting worse.""
"For whom?""
"For everyone.""
"Everyone except me.""
His shoulders slumped.
"I know I handled it badly.""
"You watched your sister insult me. You watched your mother question myumped.
"I know I handled it badly.""
"You watched your sister insult me. You watched your mother question my worth. You watched your father interrogate me about money. Every time I asked you to stand up for me, you asked me to wait.""
"I worth. You watched your father interrogate me about money. Every time I asked you to stand up for me, you asked me to wait.""
"I was afraid of causing a fight.""
Maya looked at him with quiet disbelief.
"So you let me take was afraid of causing a fight.""
Maya looked at him with quiet disbelief.
"So you let me take every blow instead.""
Ryan's eyes filled.
"My mother has controlled every blow instead.""
Ryan's eyes filled.
"My mother has controlled my life for years. You don't understand what it's like to grow up in that house. Every decision becomes a family issue. Every mistake becomes a disappointment.
I thought my life for years. You don't understand what it's like to grow up in that house. Every decision becomes a family issue.
Every mistake becomes a disappointment. I thought if I could just get through dinner, things would be easier.""
"For you," Maya said.
"Things would be easier for you.""
He fl if I could just get through dinner, things would be easier.""
"For you," Maya said.
"Things would be easier for you.""
He flinched.
She continued.
"I didn't need you to fight your mother. I needed you to tell her that I deservedinched.
She continued.
"I didn't need you to fight your mother. I needed you to tell her that I deserved basic respect. I needed you to tell your sister that my clothes weren't an invitation to hum basic respect.
I needed you to tell your sister that my clothes weren't an invitation to humiliate me. I needed you to look at me when I asked whether you loved me.""
"I doiliate me. I needed you to look at me when I asked whether you loved me.""
"I do love you.""
"Then why was defending me so difficult?""
Ryan's mouth trembled.
" love you.""
"Then why was defending me so difficult?""
Ryan's mouth trembled.
"Because I wanted everyone to be happy.""
Maya shook her head.
"You wanted everyone to approve of you.""
SilenceBecause I wanted everyone to be happy.""
Maya shook her head.
"You wanted everyone to approve of you.""
Silence filled the hallway.
For the first time, Ryan seemed to understand that the problem wasn't his mother's personality or his filled the hallway.
For the first time, Ryan seemed to understand that the problem wasn't his mother's personality or his sister's cruelty. It was the fact that he had been willing to sacrifice Maya's dignity to preserve his own comfort.
He set the sister's cruelty. It was the fact that he had been willing to sacrifice Maya's dignity to preserve his own comfort.
He set the roses on a small table near the door.
"I can change," he whispered.
Maya looked at him for roses on a small table near the door.
"I can change," he whispered.
Maya looked at him for a long moment.
"Maybe you can. But you can't ask me to keep getting hurt while you figure out how a long moment.
"Maybe you can. But you can't ask me to keep getting hurt while you figure out how.""
He glanced past her into the apartment.
"Can I at least explain why I didn't tell you about the acquisition.""
He glanced past her into the apartment.
"Can I at least explain why I didn't tell you about the acquisition?""
Her expression changed.
"What acquisition?""
Ryan went pale.
He had clearly?""
Her expression changed.
"What acquisition?""
Ryan went pale.
He had clearly assumed she already knew.
Maya stepped aside, not to invite him in but to keep assumed she already knew.
Maya stepped aside, not to invite him in but to keep the conversation from carrying through the hallway.
"Tell me.""
Ryan rubbed his hands together.
"My father has been negotiating a major deal. He told the conversation from carrying through the hallway.
"Tell me.""
Ryan rubbed his hands together.
"My father has been negotiating a major deal. He told me Bennett Meridian was considering financing it. When he heard about us, he said your family might be interested in a partnership me Bennett Meridian was considering financing it. When he heard about us, he said your family might be interested in a partnership.""
"Did he tell you that I had promised the money?""
"No. Not exactly.""
"What did he tell you?""
Ryan swallowed.
"He said that if our relationship became serious, it would make things easier. He thought we could.""
"Did he tell you that I had promised the money?""
"No. Not exactly.""
"What did he tell you?""
Ryan swallowed.
"He said that if our relationship became serious, it would make things easier. He thought we could introduce the families and arrange a meeting.""
Maya felt a chill spread through her chest.
"And you agreed?""
"I thought it would be a good opportunity for everyone.""
"Did you ever ask me whether I wanted to bring introduce the families and arrange a meeting.""
Maya felt a chill spread through her chest.
"And you agreed?""
"I thought it would be a good opportunity for everyone.""
"Did you ever ask me whether I wanted to bring our families together?""
"No.""
"Did you ever tell me your father was using our relationship in business discussions?""
Ryan lowered his eyes.
"No.""
Maya looked our families together?""
"No.""
"Did you ever tell me your father was using our relationship in business discussions?""
Ryan lowered his eyes.
"No.""
Maya looked toward the kitchen window, where morning sunlight fell across the counter.
There it was.
Another silence.
toward the kitchen window, where morning sunlight fell across the counter.
There it was.
Another silence.
Another decision made on her behalf.
"You didn't just fail to defend me yesterday," she said.
"You allowed your father to treat our relationship likeAnother decision made on her behalf.
"You didn't just fail to defend me yesterday," she said.
"You allowed your father to treat our relationship like a business asset.""
"I didn't know he was going to use your name publicly.""
"But you knew he wanted access to my family.""
Ryan had no answer.
Maya opened a business asset.""
"I didn't know he was going to use your name publicly.""
"But you knew he wanted access to my family.""
Ryan had no answer.
Maya opened the door wider.
"Ryan, I need you to leave.""
He looked up sharply.
"Are you breaking up with me?""
She took a breath.
"I'm the door wider.
"Ryan, I need you to leave.""
He looked up sharply.
"Are you breaking up with me?""
She took a breath.
"I'm telling you I need space. I won't make a permanent decision while I'm this hurt, but I won't pretend nothing happened either.""
He nodded, though his expression telling you I need space. I won't make a permanent decision while I'm this hurt, but I won't pretend nothing happened either.""
He nodded, though his expression suggested he had heard something much worse.
"Will you see me again?""
"I don't know.""
He walked toward suggested he had heard something much worse.
"Will you see me again?""
"I don't know.""
He walked toward the elevator, then stopped.
"Maya?""
She waited.
"If I had known who you were, I would the elevator, then stopped.
"Maya?""
She waited.
"If I had known who you were, I would never have let them treat you that way.""
The words hung between them.
Maya's face went never have let them treat you that way.""
The words hung between them.
Maya's face went still.
"That's the saddest thing you've said all morning still.
"That's the saddest thing you've said all morning.""
He stared at her.
"Why?""
"Because you're still telling me that my money would have changed your behavior.""
She closed the door gently.
On the other side, she heard him remain still for several seconds before the.""
He stared at her.
"Why?""
"Because you're still telling me that my money would have changed your behavior.""
She closed the door gently.
On the other side, she heard him remain still for several seconds before the elevator finally arrived.
Maya leaned against the door.
Her eyes burned, but she didn't cry.
She had spent eleven months trying to discover whether Ryan loved her without knowing her fortune.
Now she was beginning to understand that the more important question was whether elevator finally arrived.
Maya leaned against the door.
Her eyes burned, but she didn't cry.
She had spent eleven months trying to discover whether Ryan loved her without knowing her fortune.
Now she was beginning to understand that the more important question was whether he could love her without needing to benefit from it.
And she wasn't sure he knew the he could love her without needing to benefit from it.
May you like
And she wasn't sure he knew the answer himself.
answer himself.
