She wouldn’t tell me. Ah, would you in her position, after the way you looked at her just now? Eleanor shook her head. I may be old, Ethan, but I know a good soul when I meet one.
And I know when my son is making a terrible mistake. What would you have me do? Dismiss legitimate business concerns because she was kind to you? I would have you remember that not everyone is motivated by profit and power. Eleanor rose with dignity.
Your father would be disappointed to see what you’ve become. The words hit Ethan like a physical blow. Before he could respond, a commotion downstairs drew their attention.
Stay here, he instructed, heading for the stairs. In the main dining area, he found Jessica confronting James, their voices low but intense. You have no right, she was saying, fury evident in every line of her body.
No right to come here and threaten me again. Threaten? I’m simply having a friendly conversation about old times. James’s smug smile vanished when he noticed Ethan.
Ah, there you are. Jessica and I were just reminiscing. It didn’t sound like reminiscing, Ethan observed coldly.
Mr. Harrington was just leaving, Jessica announced, arms crossed defensively across her chest. Apparently the storm has cleared enough for travel. James shrugged.
The plows came through. Roads to the north are passable now. He collected his coat.
Ethan, we should leave too. The Nortek situation requires our immediate attention. Nortek, Jessica repeated, the word like ice on her tongue.
Of course, it all makes sense now. Something in her expression made Ethan pause. What do you know about Nortek? Before she could answer, James interrupted.
Ethan, this is hardly the time or place. We have a crisis to manage. It was Nortek, wasn’t it? Jessica’s gaze never left Ethan’s face.
That was what I found. The fraud at Harrington Capital. It involved Nortek.
Nortek. The word hung in the air between them. James’s face hardened, his charm evaporating like snow on a hot engine.
You’re delusional, he snapped. Ethan, we need to leave, now. But Ethan didn’t move, his eyes locked on Jessica’s.
Explain, Jessica straightened, years of suppressed fury and vindication coursing through her veins. Three years ago, I discovered irregularities in Nortek’s financial reports while working at Harrington Capital. Multiple reports, systematically altered to inflate their value.
When I brought my concerns to management, her gaze flicked to James. I was told to adjust my findings. She’s lying, James interjected.
Nortek’s financials were thoroughly vetted. By whom, Jessica challenged. The same team you instructed to falsify data.
The same analysts who mysteriously all received promotions after I was discredited. Ethan held up his hand, silencing James’s retort. Continue, he told Jessica.
She drew a steadying breath. When I refused to participate, I was removed from the Nortek account. A week later, I found evidence that the manipulation went beyond Nortek.
It was systematic. Harrington Capital was artificially inflating the value of multiple companies before acquisition deals. Preposterous, James scoffed.
If there had been any truth to these allegations, the SEC would have— The SEC investigation was a sham, Jessica cut in, because by the time I gathered enough evidence to approach them, someone had already altered the original data. My access credentials had been used to make changes I never authorized. It made it appear I was the one committing fraud.
A heavy silence followed her words. James’s face had gone still, too still, and Ethan’s analytical mind registered the unnatural composure. Not outrage, not shock.
Calculation. You were set up, Ethan said quietly. Yes.
Jessica’s eyes never left his. By the time I realized what had happened, I’d been fired for ethical violations, blacklisted from every financial institution in New York. My former colleagues were warned not to associate with me.
My reputation was destroyed. So you ran, Ethan concluded. I didn’t run, Jessica corrected, chin-lifting.
I was pushed out. Threatened with litigation if I pursued my claims. With no job, mounting legal bills, and suddenly toxic to every firm in Manhattan, I had to start over.
Convenient story, James interrupted, his voice smooth again, but ultimately unprovable. The SEC found nothing. Because you destroyed the evidence, Jessica retorted.
But you didn’t get all of it. James went very still. What do you mean? Jessica’s smile was cold.
Insurance policy. Before my access was revoked, I made copies. I may have been naive about how far you’d go to silence me, but I wasn’t stupid.
You’re bluffing, James said, but his face had paled slightly. Am I? She turned to Ethan. The Nortec acquisition you’re pursuing, what made you suddenly question their valuation tonight? Ethan’s expression revealed nothing.
Data inconsistencies. Specifically, revenue projection anomalies, discrepancies between reported earnings and actual cash flow. Jessica nodded.
The same issues I flagged three years ago, I’m guessing. Only the numbers are probably worse now, because they’ve had years to compound the fraud. Eleanor had appeared at the base of the stairs, watching the confrontation with concern.
Ethan? He didn’t turn. It’s all right, mother. Go back to bed.
No, Eleanor said firmly approaching. I don’t think it is all right, not if what I’m hearing is true. James recovered his composure, assuming his most reassuring smile.
Mrs. Mitchell, I assure you this is just a misunderstanding. Ms. Porter has a personal vendetta. Young man, Eleanor interrupted, I was married to a high school science teacher for forty years.
I know what integrity looks like, and right now I don’t see it in you. James’s smile froze. With all due respect— Enough! Ethan’s voice cut through the tension.
James, did you know about the Nortec fraud? There was no fraud, James insisted. Just aggressive accounting practices common in— Did you know? Each word fell like a hammer. For the first time, James looked uncertain.
You’re not seriously taking her side? After everything we’ve built together? She’s nobody, Ethan. A failed analyst who couldn’t handle the pressure of real business. Answer the question.
James’s expression hardened. Fine. Yes, I knew Nortec was cooking their books.
Everyone knew. It’s how the game is played. We would have fixed it after acquisition, restructured their reporting, and no one would have been the wiser.
Except the shareholders who would have paid an inflated price, Jessica pointed out. The employees who would have lost jobs in the restructuring. The pension funds invested in both companies.
Collateral damage, James dismissed. The kind of casualties Ethan has never hesitated to accept in pursuit of growth. Isn’t that right, partner? Ethan’s expression remained impassive, but Jessica saw something shift in his eyes…
