Chapter 20
Lena's POV
I was reviewing the due diligence checklist for Reynolds Industries when my phone rang.
Richard's voice came through more urgent than usual. "Lena, we have a problem. Hartwell Manufacturing—internal trading allegations, stock dropped thirty percent. Media's already running with it."
My fingers froze on the keyboard. Hartwell was the target company for Reynolds' four-hundred-million-dollar acquisition.
"When did this break?"
"An hour ago. SEC released the investigation notice." Richard paused. "Reynolds is demanding an emergency meeting. You need to get on a plane tonight."
"Understood." I was already pulling up my calendar. "I'll take Rachel. When do we leave?"
"Seven PM flight. Jack will send you the itinerary."
I hung up and checked the time—three o'clock. Four hours.
I pressed the intercom. "Rachel, come in please."
When she entered, I was already packing files. "Get your things. We're flying to Oakridge tonight."
"What happened?"
"Hartwell's facing insider trading charges. The deal might collapse." I slid my laptop into my bag. "Pull everything we have on Hartwell—financials, management background checks. Meet me in the parking garage in one hour."
Rachel nodded and left.
Jack's text came through with the passenger manifest. I scrolled down and saw another name—Nora Kane.
Of course. She was the "co-lead."
I took a breath and locked my phone.
---
The VIP terminal at the airport was quiet.
Rachel and I arrived to find Rowan already there, deep in conversation with a suited executive. He wore a navy shirt, collar open. Jack stood nearby holding boarding passes.
Nora hadn't arrived yet.
Rowan glanced up when he saw me. A brief nod. Nothing more.
Jack approached. "Ms. Grant, here are your boarding passes for you and Ms. Kim." He lowered his voice. "Ma'am, I can arrange for you to sit with Mr. Reynolds in first class—"
"That won't be necessary." I took the passes. "Economy is fine."
Jack hesitated, then recovered his professional composure. "Understood."
That's when Nora arrived.
She wore a beige trench coat and pulled a pink suitcase behind her. When she spotted Rowan, her face lit up. "Sorry, traffic was terrible."
"No problem, we have time." His tone was familiar—even, distantly polite.
But when Nora reached his side, he took her suitcase from her.
A natural gesture.
I turned toward the gate.
Rachel caught up. "They're flying first class?"
"Yes."
"And we're—"
"We're in economy." I cut her off. "Focus on prep work. We have three hours in the air. I need you to pull together every board resolution and financial anomaly from Hartwell's last five years."
Rachel opened her mouth, then simply said, "Okay."
---
After takeoff, I opened my laptop.
The cabin lights were dim. Most passengers had their eyes closed. I pulled up Hartwell's files and began reading, page by page.
The SEC allegations centered on the CFO and two board members. If proven true, this wouldn't just kill the acquisition—Reynolds could face reputational damage.
I needed a strategy.
First, establish that Reynolds had no involvement in these transactions. Second, pause the acquisition pending investigation results. Third, assess alternative targets in case the deal fell through completely.
Rachel sat beside me flipping through documents, occasionally making notes.
"Find anything?"
"Third quarter last year, Hartwell issued convertible bonds. Timing's suspicious." She pointed at the screen. "Two weeks before they announced a major patent application."
"Keep digging. I want to know everyone involved in that transaction."
The plane cut through turbulent air. I stared out at the night sky, running through tomorrow's meeting in my mind.
Would Rowan agree to pause? Or would he push forward regardless?
If the latter, how would I convince him?
I pressed my fingers to my temple. The project was complicated enough without adding Nora to the mix. Every meeting now meant watching them operate with that subtle understanding between them.
Like this afternoon when Nora asked a question and Rowan turned to her with a patience I'd never seen directed at anyone else.
I closed my eyes and leaned back against the headrest.
When I opened them again, we were beginning our descent.
---
We landed just after eight.
Oakridge's small airport meant a quick exit. Jack had cars waiting.
Rachel and I took one. Rowan, Nora, and the executive took another.
"Nine AM tomorrow, Hartwell headquarters conference room," Jack said through my window. "I'll have all materials delivered to your hotel."
"Good."
The window rolled up. I watched the black sedan ahead pull away, taillights fading into the darkness.
---
The next morning, Hartwell's conference room was packed.
CEO Gregory Wells looked haggard. The general counsel shuffled papers. Several board members spoke in low voices.
The tension was palpable.
Rowan sat at one end of the long table. I sat at the other. Nora beside him.
"Thank you all for coming on such short notice." Wells' voice was hoarse. "Regarding the SEC allegations, we're cooperating fully with the investigation. But I want to state clearly that our core business and financial health remain strong—"
"Mr. Wells." I interrupted. "Until the investigation concludes, Reynolds Industries needs to pause the acquisition process. This isn't about mistrust—it's about fiduciary responsibility to all stakeholders."
Silence filled the room.
Wells looked to Rowan. "Mr. Reynolds, your thoughts?"
Every eye turned toward him.
He leaned back, fingers drumming the table. After a few seconds: "I agree with Ms. Grant's recommendation. We pause and await the investigation."
Wells' shoulders sagged, but he nodded. "Understood. We'll work to clarify the situation as quickly as possible."
"I need a complete internal investigation report," I continued. "Including all documentation and personnel involved in those convertible bond transactions."
"Done." Wells glanced at his counsel. "You'll have it in three days."