“You Almost Married Her?” Millionaire’s Wife Mocked Her—Unaware of Who Just Arrived!
Chapter 4
The following morning, Emily sat in Jonathan Reed’s office.
The city stretched beneath the glass walls.
She still couldn’t understand why a billionaire she had never met was helping her.
“Tell me about my mother,” she said.
Jonathan sat across from her.
“Her name was Laura Carter.”
“I know.”
“She came to me eleven years ago.”
“For what?”
“To ask for help.”
Jonathan explained that his company had been considering a major donation to a network of children’s health clinics.
Laura had approached him with evidence that several nonprofit projects were being overcharged by contractors.
The money wasn’t simply disappearing.
It was being moved through layers of companies.
Jonathan had ordered an investigation.
Then someone threatened Laura.
“She never told me,” Emily whispered.
“She didn’t want you involved.”
“What happened?”
“She continued investigating.”
Jonathan paused.
“Then she became ill.”
Emily looked down.
Her mother had spent her final year getting weaker.
Emily remembered the hospital.
The bills.
The quiet conversations.
She had thought the biggest problem had been money.
Now she wondered whether the illness had been made harder by everything her mother had carried.
Jonathan continued.
“Before she died, she gave me a sealed envelope.”
“What’s inside?”
“I promised not to open it unless you were ready.”
Emily stared at him.
“And now?”
“Now you’re ready.”
He handed it to her.
The envelope was old.
Her mother’s handwriting covered the front.
For Emily.
Emily’s hands shook.
She opened it.
The letter was short.
Her mother explained that she had discovered financial irregularities involving the Sterling Foundation.
She believed someone had manipulated contracts to redirect donations.
But she hadn’t been able to prove who was responsible.
She had left copies of the evidence in several places.
The final line was the one Emily read three times.
If they ever ask you to sign something quickly, don’t.
Emily looked up.
Jonathan nodded.
“That is why Richard invited you.”
She closed her eyes.
“He wanted my signature.”
“Yes.”
“On what?”
“A restructuring agreement.”
“What happens if I sign?”
“You lose control of the trust.”
Emily’s stomach tightened.
“Permanently?”
“Unless challenged in court.”
She looked toward the city.
“Why would he do that?”
Jonathan didn’t answer immediately.
“That’s something you should ask him.”
Emily did.
Richard arrived that afternoon.
They met in a quiet conference room.
No Vanessa.
No lawyers.
Just the two of them.
Richard looked older than she remembered.
“Emily.”
“Why?”
He lowered his eyes.
“I made a mistake.”
“Seven years ago?”
“No.”
He looked at her.
“Recently.”
He admitted that his company had financial problems.
Not bankruptcy.
But serious debt.
The foundation merger would provide liquidity.
If Emily refused, the deal could collapse.
“And my signature fixes it.”
“Yes.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I was afraid.”
Emily laughed bitterly.
“You were afraid of telling me the truth?”
“I was afraid you’d hate me.”
She looked at him.
“I don’t hate you.”
Richard seemed relieved.
“I’m disappointed.”
That hurt him more.
“I know.”
“Did you know about my mother’s concerns?”
“I knew there had been an investigation.”
“Who stopped it?”
Richard hesitated.
“My father.”
Emily stared.
“Charles?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
Richard looked away.
“I don’t know everything.”
“Then find out.”
He nodded.
Emily stood.
Before leaving, she asked:
“Did you ever love me?”
Richard’s eyes filled.
“Yes.”
She waited.
“And did you stop?”
“No.”
Emily closed her eyes.
“Then you should have been brave enough to tell the truth.”
She walked away.
But outside the room, someone had been listening.
Vanessa.
And she was furious.
