Chapter 3: The Man Who Wanted My Father's Company
“Freeze every account connected to that transfer.””
My father's voice cut through the conference room.
Marcus immediately reached for his phone.
“I'm contacting the bank now.””
I stared at the screen.
Eighteen million dollars.
One transaction.
One company.
One man I had once imagined growing old beside.
“Can they stop it?”” I asked.
Marcus looked at me.
“If the funds haven't cleared, possibly. But we need immediate cooperation from the receiving institution.””
My father walked toward the window.
“Get the forensic team involved. Notify the auditors. Nobody outside this room gets the full picture.””
I stood.
“I'm going to talk to Ryan.””
My father turned.
“No.””
“Dad—”
“No, Maya. You are not confronting someone who may be involved in financial fraud without understanding what he knows.””
“I don't want to sit here while he moves eighteen million dollars.””
“And I don't want you walking into a situation where he can manipulate you again.””
I looked at the documents.
“Then let me ask him questions. He thinks I'm still the woman he can control.””
Marcus slowly shook his head.
“Ms. Bennett, if he suspects the investigation has reached him, he could destroy evidence.””
I considered that.
Then I picked up my phone.
“I won't tell him what we know.””
My father studied my face.
“Be careful.””
“I will.””
At 10:30 a.m., Ryan called.
I watched his name flash across my screen.
For a moment, I couldn't believe I had once felt excited every time I saw it.
I answered.
“Hello?””
“Maya.””
His voice was softer than it had been the previous night.
“Can we talk?””
“About what?””
“About us.””
I looked toward my father.
He nodded once.
“Where?””
“Come to my office. I have something important to explain.””
I almost laughed.
His office.
The office of a man who had supposedly built a successful financial consulting business.
“Okay,” I said.
“I'll come.””
Ryan exhaled.
“Thank you. I knew you'd understand.””
I ended the call.
My father looked at me.
“Don't let him know you're recording anything unless Marcus confirms the legal requirements.””
“I won't.””
Marcus handed me a small folder.
“Ask him about his company. Don't volunteer information. Let him explain.””
At noon, I arrived at Whitmore Advisory Group.
The office occupied the eighteenth floor of a glass building in the Loop. The reception area was decorated with dark wood, modern art, and a large metal sign bearing the company's name.
A receptionist smiled.
“Good afternoon. Do you have an appointment?””
“Ryan is expecting me.””
“Of course. Mr. Whitmore is waiting.””
Ryan appeared at the end of the hallway.
He was wearing a navy suit.
His hair was perfectly styled.
He looked exactly like the man I had fallen in love with.
That almost made me hate him more.
He hugged me.
I remained still.
“Come in,” he said.
His office was large, with a glass wall overlooking the city.
He closed the door.
Then he poured two cups of coffee.
“I ordered your favorite.””
“Thank you.””
He sat across from me.
“Maya, last night was a disaster.””
“Yes.””
“My mother shouldn't have said those things.””
“No.””
“And I should have defended you.””
I looked at him.
“Why didn't you?””
He rubbed his hands together.
“I didn't want to embarrass her in front of everyone.””
I tilted my head.
“So you decided embarrassing me was acceptable?””
He looked down.
“That's not what I meant.””
“Then what did you mean?””
He sighed.
“Look, my family has expectations. You know how they are.””
“I know exactly how they are.””
He leaned forward.
“I want you to understand something. I don't care about your car or your money.””
I almost smiled.
“You've mentioned money several times today.””
“Because you suddenly appeared with a Lamborghini and a wealthy father. Of course I have questions.””
“Fair enough.””
He watched me.
“So, what does your father actually do?””
“Why are you so interested?””
“Because we're together.””
I looked directly at him.
“Are we?””
His expression shifted.
“Maya, don't do this.””
“Do what?””
“Act like eleven months meant nothing.””
I let the silence sit between us.
Then I asked, “Have you ever heard of Bennett Holdings?””
His coffee cup stopped halfway to his mouth.
It was subtle.
Almost invisible.
But I saw it.
“Why?””
“I'm asking a question.””
“Of course I've heard of them. They're a major investment group.””
“Do you know anyone there?””
He recovered quickly.
“Not personally.””
I leaned back.
“Are you sure?””
He placed the cup down.
“Maya, what's going on?””
“I'm trying to understand how much we know about each other.””
He smiled.
“Then let's start over. Tell me about your family.””
I looked at him.
“My father built an investment company.””
“What company?””
“Bennett Holdings.””
Ryan went completely still.
For two seconds, he didn't blink.
Then he laughed.
Not naturally.
It sounded like someone trying to buy time.
“Bennett Holdings?””
“Yes.””
“Your father is Alexander Bennett?””
“Yes.””
He stood.
“Why didn't you tell me?””
“Would it have changed anything?””
He walked toward the window.
“Of course it would.””
I felt my stomach tighten.
“Why?””
He turned around.
“Because that's important information.””
“Important to whom?””
“To us.””
I stared at him.
“You told me money didn't matter.””
“It doesn't.””
“Then why does your face look like you've just seen a ghost?””
He didn't answer.
Instead, he walked back to his desk and opened a drawer.
“Maya, I need to tell you something.””
“What?””
“There's a business situation involving Bennett Holdings.””
I kept my expression neutral.
“What kind of situation?””
He hesitated.
“A potential investment opportunity.””
“Your company is investing in mine?””
“Not exactly.””
“Then explain.””
Ryan sat down.
“There are people who believe Bennett Holdings has become inefficient. Your father has been making decisions that aren't ideal for shareholders.””
“My father owns the company.””
“That's not the point.””
“What is the point?””
He lowered his voice.
“There may be an opportunity to restructure certain assets.””
I stared at him.
“Who is involved?””
“Some private investors.””
“Names?””
He rubbed his forehead.
“Maya, you don't understand how these things work.””
I smiled without warmth.
“Then explain it to me.””
He stood again.
“This is exactly why I wanted to meet. I need your help.””
There it was.
The real reason.
I looked at him.
“What kind of help?””
“Your father trusts you, doesn't he?””
“Sometimes.””
“Could you introduce me to him?””
I blinked.
“You've never asked to meet him before.””
“Things have changed.””
“Why?””
“Because I see a future with you.””
I almost admired how quickly he could change direction.
“You see a future with me now?””
“Of course.””
“Even though your mother thinks I'm unsuitable?””
He looked irritated.
“Don't bring my mother into this.””
“She was the one who told me to leave.””
“And I apologized.””
“No. You explained why you allowed it.””
He walked around the desk.
“Maya, listen. I can fix this. I can make my family understand.””
“Do you love me?””
He stopped.
“What?””
“Do you love me?””
He stared at me.
Then he stepped closer.
“Of course I do.””
I searched his face.
“Then why did you let them humiliate me?””
He took my hand.
“Because I was under pressure.””
“From whom?””
“My family. My business partners. Everyone.””
I gently pulled my hand away.
“That's a lot of pressure.””
He looked at his watch.
Then his phone vibrated.
He checked the screen.
His expression changed.
“Excuse me. I need to take this.””
He stepped into the adjoining conference room.
The door didn't close completely.
I heard his voice.
“What do you mean the transfer is frozen?””
A pause.
“Who contacted the bank?””
Another pause.
Then he said something that made my blood run cold.
“Did Daniel leave anything behind?””
I sat perfectly still.
Ryan lowered his voice.
“Listen to me. If Bennett knows about the eighteen million, we're finished.””
I closed my eyes.
There was no longer any doubt.
He was involved.
A moment later, he returned.
His smile was gone.
“Maya, I need to ask you something.””
I looked up.
“What?””
“Has your father spoken to you about any financial irregularities?””
I kept my face calm.
“No. Why?””
Ryan studied me for several seconds.
May you like
Then he asked the question that changed everything.
“Because someone is trying to destroy my company, and I think your father is behind it.””
