Page 78 of Merry Fake Bride

“I am.”

“One bakery is not destroying my life’s work!”

“If your life’s work hinges on one tiny bakery, Ryan, then you should reevaluate what you want out of that life because that’s just pathetic. I’ve made my decision. Let them take this to court, and if I detect even onehintof a smear campaign, I’ll order our lawyers to concede. Understand?”

It’s the best I can do to stop them digging.

If someone finds out that Devon’s money is coming from me, then the complications that will arise are terrifying.

A conflict of interest, for one, never mind the rules in my own contract stating that any sort of relationship with an employee is strictly prohibited.

While Devon isn’t my employee in the traditional sense, our marriage places her and her bakery within my family network, which creates a direct conflict of interest with Silver Canopy’s best interests.

But as long as this stays with the lawyers, no one will find out.

“So, what do you want us to do?” Trent asks since Ryan is visibly too angry to speak.

“Call the lawyers and tell them to let this take its course.”

“That’s it?” Erin asks. “We just do… nothing?”

“That’s what most people do in legal situations, Erin. We let those who know the law fight it out and we accept their ruling. Now, I have somewhere to be. If you’ll excuse me.”

Their voices rise as soon as I close the door behind me, but what they have to say no longer concerns me.

My money is enough to help Devon and hopefully, I can keep those snakes at bay long enough to help her on this end.

By the time I reach the elevator, Mom is blowing up my phone.

Ryan must have called her.

Several texts of angry insults are followed by a call that lasts two seconds, then another.

Then another.

It’s her way of pissing me off.

She calls and hangs up before I can answer, so the notifications drive me crazy, and I’m forced to call her back.

As soon as I do, she explodes.

“Is it true?” she yells. “Tell me it’s not true! Tell me you’re not spitting on your father’s legacy like this! Tell me you’re not destroying everything he’s built!”

“If what he’s built can be destroyed by a simple land rights disagreement, then he didn’t build something very strong, did he?”

“You little bastard,” Mom snaps. “How dare you talk about him this way! He might not be here anymore, but it’s your reputation that will suffer. And mine!”

I study my reflection in the elevator mirror as I descend. “My reputation won’t be affected by this.”

“You don’t think so? Silver Canopy is a great company and this isn’t about the bakery. It’s about what it represents. Kairo, listen to me. If they win, we’ll lose out on this billion-dollar deal. No one will want to work with us again. We’ll destroy all the goodwill we’ve built through signing deals early, and all the other ratty little businesses in the way of greatness will start thinking they can stand against us!”

I meet my own eyes and Devon fills my mind, particularly how she looked on that bridge in the snow. “Mom.”

“You’re insane, Kairo. Should I call a doctor? Has someone got to you?”

“Mom.”

“We can’t let this happen. How will I be able to face anyone when this collapses? It’s all we’ve spoken about for five years!”