Chapter 54 You’ve Switched Sides
“She really said that?”
Ryan stared at Tyler.
Grace had accepted all the downside with no special reward if she succeeded?
“In front of every shareholder,” Tyler said. “Everyone’s talking about it.”
“Who spread the story?”
“No idea. It’s everywhere.”
“What do you think?”
Tyler considered his answer.
“Whitaker fights her on everything. I doubt this will go smoothly.”
“If we can see that, surely she can.”
“Maybe she knows something we don’t.” Tyler smiled. “It’s poker. You don’t know what anyone’s holding until the cards come out.”
“Fair enough. Who would you rather see in charge?”
“You’re on Ms. Morgan’s side, and I’d like you to stay in charge of our team. So her.”
Ryan laughed.
“Honest, at least.”
“She’s also a good president,” Tyler added. “She wants the company to improve, and she remembers the people doing the work. Whitaker’s crowd has forgotten we exist. I’d choose her even without knowing you.”
After he left, Ryan sat back and considered calling Grace.
The promise had spread through the entire company in less than half a day. Someone wanted it heard. Preston was the obvious candidate.
Once everyone knew, it would be difficult for Grace to retreat.
Still, she wasn’t naive. Perhaps she had a plan. Perhaps she’d decided the risk was worth it.
Either way, she was entitled to make her own choices.
He wasn’t truly her husband. They weren’t even friends yet, only partners in an arrangement.
He left the phone where it was.
After work, he went to the Bennetts’ house for Walter’s treatment.
Diane met him downstairs afterward with a glass of water.
“Thank you. Stay for dinner.”
“Another time, Mrs. Bennett. I have something to do.”
“No. I’ve heard about the wolves.” Her voice softened. “If you hadn’t been there, Chloe might not have come home. Let me at least feed you.”
Ryan looked to Chloe for help.
She grinned.
“Whatever it is can wait until you’ve eaten.”
He stared at her. So much for backup.
“All right. Thank you.”
“Stop being so formal. You should feel at home here.” Diane beamed. “Come whenever you like. I’ll make you something.”
She headed to the kitchen.
Ryan gave Chloe a long look. She sat beside him and nudged his arm.
“She wants to thank you. You have to eat somewhere.”
“Did you tell her about the attack?”
“Megan told her family. Her mother told mine. Then I got a lecture for keeping it quiet.”
“Your father knows?”
She leaned closer.
“Are you asking whether he still objects to us?”
Ryan felt a flicker of embarrassment. The question had come out without much thought, but she wasn’t entirely wrong.
He gently pushed her forehead back.
“You can talk from there.”
“I knew it.” She laughed. “You’re embarrassed.”
“Keep it up and I’ll tell your mother what’s really going on.”
Chloe caught his arm and whispered fiercely.
“Then I’ll tell her you saw my breasts. Twice. And held me all night.”
Before he could answer, the front door opened.
Richard came in carrying invitations. He paused when he saw Ryan.
“You’re here.”
“Just finished Walter’s treatment. He’s doing well. We can move the acupuncture to once a week.”
Chloe’s lips pursed briefly. Then she looked at the cards in her father’s hand.
“What are those?”
“Lawrence Harrington is in town. He’s giving a dinner, and we’ve been invited.”
“The developer from Raleigh?”
“Yes.”
Chloe slipped her arm through Ryan’s.
“Can he come?”