29 The Weight of a Name

29 The Weight of a Name
29
The Weight of a Name

Ryan strode into Smith Corporation, his secretary and personal assistant trailing closely behind. Conversations hushed the moment he stepped through. Heads dipped in respect as the employees parted to let him pass. His face was a mask, cold, unreadable, except for the faint trace of irritation that clung to him like a shadow.

Inside the elevator, silence reigned. When the doors slid open on the top floor, Ryan stepped out without hesitation, his stride confident, unyielding.

The women in the lobby lifted their eyes, their gazes lingering on him. Admiration burned in their stares, though none dared approach. They wished he would look at them, just once. They wished he would choose them, even if only for a night. The fantasy of being with Ryan Smith was enough to drive them into desperate measures, plunging necklines, short skirts, perfume strong enough to choke the air. All for a fleeting glance.

They envied Ronda. They despised her for being close to him. She was beautiful, yes, but insufferable, and everyone knew it. Still, she had what they all wanted. Access.

But Ryan? He paid them no mind. Their games were wasted on him. He had grown up drowning in that kind of attention. It no longer thrilled him; it barely registered. The only girl who had ever dared to treat him like he wasn’t a god had left him too, with insults sharp enough to scar.

Ryan sighed as he stepped into his office. He went straight to the wide glass windows, his gaze falling on the restless city below. But his mind wasn’t here. It was back at the mansion. Back to her.

Waking up to Tessy’s face this morning hadn’t been on his schedule. He hadn’t planned for it. He hadn’t even imagined it. For years, he had convinced himself he would never see her again unless he allowed it. And even if he did, he was sure he’d ignore her. Pretend she didn’t exist. But now, she was under the same roof, in the same space, walking the same halls.

What was Margaret playing at?
This was her doing. Hers and Grams’.

Every week, without fail, he called Grams, at least once a week. And every week she tried to push Tessy’s name into the conversation. He always shut it down. He had begged her to never bring Tessy up again. The mere mention made him feel weak, exposed.

And yet… the moment he saw her, his body betrayed him.
Before his anger. Before the memories. Before the hurt. His body reacted. His little guy had stood up just by seeing her. Desires had flared in him.

He cursed under his breath, jaw tightening at the thought.

“Sir?” his secretary’s voice wavered from behind. He didn’t respond.

“Mr. Smith?” she tried again, louder this time.

Ryan blinked, snapping back to the present. He turned slowly, his brows arched, eyes trailing over her without much interest.

Maybe that was what he needed. Another woman. Maybe if he took someone else to bed, the foolish pull toward Tessy would vanish. It had been over a week since he last slept with anyone. Too long. Far too long for him.

“Is everything alright, sir? You’ve been standing there for a while,” she asked carefully.

Ryan let out a low groan, tearing his gaze away. He sank into his leather chair, resting his elbows on the desk.

“No,” he muttered under his breath, voice sharp. “Not even close.”

“What?” She stuttered, confused. She barely heard what he said.

Ryan’s secretary stepped forward and placed a folder on his desk.
“Mr. Caleb will be coming over for the meeting today. He wishes to collaborate with Smith Corporation.”

Ryan skimmed the documents, irritation flashing across his face. His jaw tightened as he lifted his eyes to glare at her.

“I thought I made myself clear. I don’t want to collaborate with him. He brings no value to us, only to himself. We gain nothing from this deal.”

She swallowed nervously. “Mrs. Veronica insisted on another meeting. He’ll be here any minute.”

“Victoria…” Ryan groaned, dragging a hand through his hair. “Fine. Send him in when he arrives.”

She gave a small nod and hurried out.

Ryan leaned back in his chair, tapping a pen against the desk. Officially, he was the director of this branch of Smith Corporation. In reality, he ran it like a CEO. His father still held the official title, but most of the work had long shifted to Ryan. Everything went through him first. He carried the weight of the empire now.

He powered on his computer, scanning through financial reports and emails. Deals waiting for approval, contracts pending, managers needing updates, his inbox was endless. Business was a battlefield, and his job was to make sure the Smith name never lost ground.

Moments later, his telephone buzzed. Without tearing his eyes from the screen, he picked it up and placed it to his ear.

“Sir, Mr. Caleb is here. Should I send him in?” his secretary’s voice came through.

“Yes,” Ryan replied curtly before ending the call.

The door opened seconds later. A young man walked in, sharp suit, clean features, a smirk glued to his lips. His eyes darted around the office like a predator sizing up territory before settling on Ryan.

So this is Victoria’s new catch, Ryan thought bitterly, rising from his seat.

“Good day, Mr. Caleb.”

“Oh, no need for the formality,” Caleb grinned, striding forward with a confidence that reeked of arrogance. “Just call me Caleb, Ryan. After all, we might be in-laws soon.” He sat down, too comfortably, like he owned the place.

Ryan’s lips twitched into a smirk, but his eyes stayed cold. He hated when people jumped into familiarity without invitation.

“In-law?” Ryan echoed, taking his seat. “I doubt that. My aunt has paraded plenty of men over the years, and not a single one lasted long enough to become family. Tell me, what makes you so different from the rest?”

The smile on Caleb’s face faltered for a second before he leaned back, studying Ryan. “I’ll take it you don’t like me, Ryan.”

“I don’t like you. I don’t hate you either,” Ryan replied smoothly. “I simply don’t care for my aunt’s antics. As for this partnership? It won’t happen. Smith Corporation doesn’t need you, Caleb. This deal ends here. No further meetings.”

He stood, gathering a stack of documents with sharp efficiency. “Excuse me. I have an important meeting to attend. My secretary will walk you out.”

Without another glance, Ryan walked past him and out of the office.

“Walk Mr. Caleb out,” he ordered briskly. “Is the next meeting set?”

“Yes, sir,” his secretary replied.

Ryan headed straight to the boardroom. The live meeting was already queued, managers from across divisions waiting on the screen. For the next two hours, he steered discussions, reviewed numbers, cut through excuses, and demanded results. By the time it ended, his head was throbbing and his back stiff from sitting too long.

He returned to his office, dropping into his chair with a heavy sigh just as his phone rang. Victoria’s name flashed on the screen. Ryan scoffed before answering.

“Ryan!” her sharp voice screeched through the line. “I heard what you did with Caleb. He said you insulted him and denied him the collaboration!”

“Victoria,” Ryan said flatly, pinching the bridge of his nose. “His collaboration offers us nothing. He’s the only one who benefits. Just because you have something with him doesn’t mean I’ll hand him this collaboration on a silver platter. Stop pushing him at us. There will be no further meetings with him.”

Before she could rant further, Ryan hissed under his breath and ended the call, tossing the phone onto the couch.

He leaned back, exhaling slowly. His aunt was cunning, but blind when it came to men. She lived off attention, hungry for love in all the wrong places. Men didn’t stay with her beca
use they cared, they stayed because she was a Smith.

And Caleb was no different.

Likewise Tessy.