She Laughed When the Intern Fell Into the Pool—Then the $4.7 Billion Deal Stopped

Richard met Maya and Evelyn in Evelyn’s office the next morning. He came alone.

“I should have answered your grandfather’s letter,” he said as soon as he sat down.

“Yes,” Maya replied.

“I should have checked the records myself six months ago.”

“Yes.”

He accepted both answers.

Richard explained that Martin had controlled the Reed accounts for years. As the Northline merger approached, Martin had pushed to close the deal quickly, arguing that delays could cost the company its buyer.

“I believed he had resolved the ownership question,” Richard said.

Evelyn placed a copy of Samuel’s original agreement in front of him. Richard read it slowly.

When he reached the royalty provision, he took off his glasses.

“The versions Northline wants,” he said. “Those were built from Samuel’s work.”

“Did your company meet the payment terms?” Maya asked.

Richard shook his head. “I don’t know. Martin says we did. At this point, I wouldn’t rely on his word.”

Maya had wanted to hear Richard admit he was wrong. Now that he had, the words felt smaller than the years Samuel had lost.

“Why tell us this today?” she asked.

“Because the committee should have the facts. And because Martin called Claire last night.”

“What did he say?”

“He knows she’s hosting the party Friday. He told her you were trying to embarrass this family.”

Maya gave a dry laugh. “She didn’t need encouragement.”

Richard looked down. “Claire thinks everyone who works for me owes her something. I let her keep thinking it.”

Before leaving, he said he would cooperate with the committee. Evelyn told him to put that commitment in writing.

An hour later, Maya received confirmation: the committee had the original agreement and Tessa’s files. Outside counsel had begun an independent review. The deal was still scheduled to proceed, but a pause could be issued quickly if the remaining records matched.

The remaining records were the account trail Eli had been chasing.

At 4:18 p.m., Eli texted Maya:

FOUND THE BANK MATCH. I’M VERIFYING THE LAST PAYMENT.

Maya replied: Be careful.