James, she said quietly, don’t. Eleanor, sensing the rising tension, intervened. I’m feeling rather tired.
Perhaps we could continue this conversation tomorrow. Of course, Jessica agreed quickly, standing. Let me refresh your blankets.
As Jessica helped Eleanor back to the office, James leaned toward Ethan. She hasn’t told you, has she? Told me what? Why she really left New York. James shook his head.
I’m not surprised. It’s not something she’d be proud of. Stop dancing around it, Ethan demanded.
What happened? James studied him for a moment. She accused Harrington Capital of fraud. Claimed we were manipulating market data, misleading clients.
Tried to take her evidence to the SEC. Ethan frowned. And were you? James looked genuinely offended.
Of course not. We were cleared of all allegations. But by then, the damage to Jessica’s reputation was done.
No firm on Wall Street would touch her after that kind of betrayal. So she ran to Vermont. Can you blame her? She tried to destroy the company that gave her every opportunity.
James’s expression softened to concern. Look, I’m not telling you this to speak ill of her. I’m telling you because we’re on the verge of the biggest acquisition of our careers.
The Nortec deal will triple Mitchell Innovation’s market value if nothing derails it. What does Jessica have to do with Nortec? Probably nothing, James conceded. But timing is everything.
We can’t afford any complications. Before Ethan could respond, Jessica returned. The sight of her head, held high despite the obvious strain around her eyes, made something twist in his chest.
Ellen has settled, she announced. I’ve made up a couple more beds in case the storm brings other strays. James stood, straightening his suit.
I should check in with the office. Is there anywhere I might make a private call? At the storage room has the strongest signal, Jessica replied tonelessly. After James departed, an uncomfortable silence fell between them.
Ethan watched Jessica methodically clearing dishes, her movements precise but mechanical. Were you planning to tell me, he asked finally. She didn’t pretend to misunderstand.
About James? It didn’t seem relevant until he walked through that door. About your allegations against his company? Jessica’s hands stilled. She turned to face him.
Her expression carefully composed. So he shared his version of events. He says you accused Harrington Capital of fraud, that the allegations were investigated and dismissed.
Is that all he said? She asked, a bitter smile touching her lips. Should there be more? Jessica studied him for a long moment. Would it matter if there were? James Harrington is your friend and business partner.
I’m just the woman who happened to shelter your mother during a storm. At the distance in her voice bothered him more than it should have. I prefer to form my own judgments.
Based on what? You barely know me, Ethan. I’m a good judge of character. So was I once.
She turned back to the dishes. Look how that worked out for me. Ethan stepped closer, invading her space until she was forced to face him again.
Tell me your side. Why? So you can decide which of us is lying. She shook her head.
I don’t need to justify myself to you. Damn it, Jessica! He caught himself lowering his voice. I’m trying to understand.
No, you’re trying to protect your business interests. Her eyes flashed with sudden anger. James made sure to mention your big acquisition, didn’t he? Warned you that I might be a complication.
Ethan’s silence confirmed her suspicion. That’s what I thought. She moved to step around him, but he caught her arm.
What did you find at Harrington Capital? He asked quietly. For a moment it seemed she might tell him. Then the back door opened again as James returned, his timing impeccable as always.
Sorry to interrupt, he said, though his smile suggested he was anything but sorry. Ethan, I need to speak with you about the Nortek situation. Something’s come up.
Jessica pulled her arm from Ethan’s grasp. I should check the generator anyway. As she disappeared into the back, James handed Ethan his phone.
You should see this email that just came through. Ethan scanned the message, his expression hardening. This data can’t be right.
That’s what I thought, but I’ve triple-checked the figures. James took the phone back. Nortek’s valuation was inflated.
If we’d gone through with the acquisition at the agreed price, we’d have overpaid by millions, Ethan finished grimly. At best. At worst, we could have been accused of knowingly engaging in securities fraud.
James ran a hand through his hair. We dodged a bullet, Ethan. How did you find this? One of our analysts caught it.
Pure luck. But it makes me wonder how many other deals might have similar issues lurking in their financial reports. Ethan frowned, his mind racing through implications.
We need to overhaul our due diligence process. If we miss this… Exactly my concern. James hesitated.
There’s something else. The analyst who caught it found Jessica Porter’s name on some of the original Nortek prospectus documents from her time at Harrington Capital. What are you suggesting? I’m not suggesting anything.
Just noting a curious coincidence. James’s expression was neutral. She had access to the early Nortek financials.
Then she makes fraud allegations against Harrington. Now she’s mysteriously back in your orbit, just as we’re about to acquire Nortek. That’s quite a conspiracy theory, is it? The woman who tried to destroy my company just happens to be here.
With your mother, the night before our biggest deal. James shook his head. I don’t believe in coincidences that convenient.
Ethan wanted to dismiss James’s suspicions, but years of business instinct kept him from doing so outright. Jessica Porter was hiding something, that much was clear, and timing was indeed suspicious. I’ll talk to her, he decided.
Get to the bottom of it. Just be careful, James warned. She’s convincing, trust me.
I learned that the hard way. When Jessica returned, she found the two men huddled in conversation. They broke apart at her approach, and the sudden silence spoke volumes.
The way Ethan looked at her, more guarded than before, analytical rather than curious, told her everything she needed to know. The generator should last through the night, she reported, her voice professional and distant. If you gentlemen will excuse me, I have some inventory to complete before morning.
Jessica, Ethan called after her. We need to talk. She paused, not turning around.
I think your business partner has said everything that needs saying, mister. Mitchell. The formality stung.
You haven’t told your side. Would it make a difference? She glanced back, her smile sad. Some battles aren’t worth fighting twice.
Later that night, as the storm howled outside, Ethan found himself unable to sleep on the narrow cot. The Nortex situation demanded his attention, but his thoughts kept circling back to Jessica Porter, the hurt in her eyes when she’d realized he was doubting her, the resignation in her voice. A soft knock interrupted his ruminations.
He opened the door to find Eleanor standing there, wrapped in a blanket. Mother, you should be resting. I’ve had quite enough rest.
She moved past him into the small room. We need to talk about Jessica. There’s nothing to discuss.
Don’t lie to me, Ethan. I raised you. Eleanor settled onto the edge of the cot.
James Harrington has poisoned your mind against her, hasn’t he? Ethan sighed. It’s complicated. There’s history between them, professional conflicts that could impact our business.
And that’s all that matters to you? Business? Eleanor’s disappointment was palpable. That girl saved my life today, and you’re letting that snake turn you against her without even hearing her story. I tried to hear her story…
