Woven from time

Chapter 38. Nate

Annie came by herself. Pale as death, with disheveled hair and frightened eyes. She stopped in the doorway and hesitated to sit down on the chair. I watched. I watched and couldn't comprehend how she could have done this. Annie had been one of the first to receive a full scholarship from me. I even provided her an internship and an opportunity to stay in Bolford after her studies. My kindness, it turned out, was crawling beneath my windows, waiting for the right shot.
"Mr. Andrews, I'm so sorry," Annie mumbled.
"What are you sorry for?" I asked, rubbing my nose bridge.
She didn't answer. She twisted her fingers and shifted, awaiting some kind of verdict.
"I want to know everything. From the very beginning. No lies."
And Annie told me how she had accidentally bumped into Victor near my office doors the day before, when he came to pay Katherine's tuition. It was a couple of weeks before her arrival, and only now did I put two and two together, realizing that he had planned everything from the start. Victor knew that Katherine had returned to Boston, and he simply waited for the right moment.
"First, he offered me a hundred thousand dollars to get close to Tyler. You know my situation, Mr. Andrews." Yes, I knew. I knew that Annie's mother was sick, working three jobs, accumulating a long list of illnesses. All the money went to paying off her husband's debts, which he squandered on alcohol and drugs. That's why I gave her a chance at life, not anticipating she would try to ruin mine. "Then he asked me to keep an eye on her, and if Katherine ever left college, to report it."
"And?"
"He promised to pay an extra hundred thousand dollars for any interesting information. Three hundred thousand for photo evidence."
"How did you find out about us?"
"I began to suspect when I saw you leaving the library. Then you left Bolford together in the evening. I knew that sooner or later, you'd start showing... feelings at the university. It was only a matter of time."
The urge to overturn the table grew with every passing second. I wiped sweat from my forehead, trying to combat the chaos in my mind. A roar almost escaped my throat when Annie uttered the next words:
"I understand that my apologies might sound foolish and out of place, but please forgive me."
"Why are you asking for forgiveness?" I couldn't help asking.
"I... It's the right thing to do."
She tugged at the edge of her blouse, infuriating me. I clenched my teeth forcefully, fists painfully tightened. Inner demons were urging me to smash my knuckles against the wall.
"Mr. Andrews, you probably want to expel me or revoke my scholarship, but I..."
"It's no longer up to me."
Annie's eyes widened, almost popping out of their sockets. She opened her mouth, closed it, and opened it again. I couldn't tolerate her presence any longer. Annie understood without words.
For the first few minutes, I sat calmly. Hardly moved at all. I contemplated what had transpired, considering possible options. But each option led to a dead end. The most logical thing would be to meet with Fox and talk. Yet I couldn't fathom how I'd manage to maintain a conversation upon seeing his face. The bastard used his own daughter as collateral for security and reliability. But for what? What did Victor want from the Shayne family?
I should have tackled that question immediately after the ball, but intoxicated by our relationship and newfound freedom, I turned a blind eye to it. Delayed it. Forgot it. Gave up on it.
A ringing phone snapped me out of my stupor. Sean. The only person who always reasoned logically, even if the world were to collapse tomorrow. Yet even he wouldn't be able to find an optimal solution for the three of us right now. Katherine wouldn't settle for less. I wouldn't settle for less.
I ignored Sean. Instead, I dialed my father, hoping he had piqued Sam's interest.
"Have the glaciers melted?" my father clarified, laughing at his own joke.
"Have you reached an agreement with Sam?"
"We scheduled a meeting for next week."
"Is he still in Boston?"
"If I recall correctly, yes. The Shaynes too."
"Negotiate a meeting with him, I'll be at my apartment in an hour and a half."
"Nate, what's happening? Why do you need Sam?"
I took a deep inhale and exhale. Today, everyone seemed intent on testing my strength.
"Just answer. Is Sam still in Boston?"
"If I'm not mistaken, yes. Like the Shayne family."
"Set up a meeting with him, I'll be there in an hour."
"Nate, Sam's not someone you can arrange a last-minute meeting with, he—"
"Then give me his phone number, and I'll arrange it myself," I growled, unable to hold back, and hung up. I then called Sean. "Meet me at my apartment in an hour. Bring all the account statements. Everything I have. And prepare documents. I'll send you the details."
"Got it. I'll be there in thirty minutes."
That's why I worked with Sean and trusted him with every cent.
I barely left the office when Jess stormed in, her eyes shooting lightning bolts. Her entire appearance screamed that we needed to talk. But I was tired of being the nice guy, friendly with everyone. To hell with it. Not now, when Fox was attempting to ruin Katherine's life.
"I'll be back tomorrow, and we'll talk. You're taking over today. Corword's on me."
"But Nate..."
"Tomorrow, Jess. All questions tomorrow."
Leaving her bewildered and perplexed, I stormed out of the office. Startled Anthony tried to block my way, but a single look was enough to move the hulking guy. There was no guarantee that Annie wouldn't report everything to Fox. And he would undoubtedly exploit this situation. This very thought urged me to the car. I refrained from messaging Katherine this time. No vows, no promises. My plan was insane. And the likelihood of Sam agreeing was one percent. Because Sam wasn't like Victor or Said. He wasn't clinging to the company as a life preserver.
The car screeched as I accelerated. The list of violations grew with every mile. But the sooner I reached Boston, the better for our lives. For our future.
My father's name lit up on the display. I pressed the screen to answer the call.
"Nate," he barked, which was strange. Because there was only one person in the world calmer than me—my father. "This conversation almost made me abandon my idea. Twice. I hope you've got something worthwhile. Otherwise, we won't have much to discuss with Sam."
"What happened?"
"From this point on, it's not up to me."
"What do you mean?"
"You'll find out when you meet. Don't screw this up."
The line went dead. I didn't have time to ruminate on his words. I had already reached Boston.
"I'll send a message. And I wasn't joking when I said it would cost a lot!" Rupert Andrews used the term "a lot" to imply something trivial. Something along the lines of a family weekend getaway or swimming with dolphins. He knew how much I despised wasting time in vain. Used to. Right now, I'd cancel everything just to spend time with my loved ones. Because nothing in this world was more valuable and important.
Surprisingly, there was no traffic in Boston. I reached my apartment in fifteen minutes. Sean was sitting in the car, sorting through documents and organizing them into folders. He looked characteristically grim. Seeing me, Sean started to get out, but I waved him off.
"Will you explain?"
"You'll hear about it on the spot. Give me the statements." I typed the address of the restaurant where I had the meeting with Sam into the navigation system. Then I glanced at the numbers. Huge numbers. There they were, the consequences of working ourselves to the bone. Sam couldn't be swayed by those zeroes. I needed to improvise. Find something that would intrigue a guy seasoned by life.
We arrived at the restaurant right on time. I wanted a strong drink before starting negotiations. Negotiations that could end almost before they began. Sean got out of the car with a sense of importance, running his fingers through his thick hair. He appeared composed, as if the devil himself had risen from the underworld. But between the two of us, I was usually the one more devilish. Sean was reason and cold-blooded calculation. He made money for both of us, lived by numbers, breathed them. He couldn't imagine waking up and not checking the stock market first thing. In the past, we never left without a signed contract: I'd destroy with my words, and Sean would finish with persistence. And now, that's exactly what I counted on.
We had time to prepare and grab a bite to eat, even though I had no appetite. I settled for three cups of coffee and some dessert that Sean insisted on. My hand itched to pick up my phone, but sending a message to Katherine in these circumstances would be incredibly foolish. Who knows, maybe Victor is tracking her calls and messages. No need to serve up facts on a silver platter to the bastard. Let him embarrass himself in court, trying to prove that the photos aren't photoshopped.
By the time Sam arrived, I had explained my plan to Sean. He looked at me as if I were crazy. And that's what I was: crazy, in love, and hungry for my own happiness. Let him try to judge me. I didn't care. And even if Katherine and I didn't succeed, I wouldn't be able to sleep peacefully, knowing that my father continued to control her life.
I don't know what exactly my father told Sam, but he stormed into the restaurant with only one intention—to kill. Seeing us, Sam didn't even bother to take off his coat. He sat down in it, threw the car keys and a black leather wallet onto the table.
"Is your family communicating through ultimatums?" Sam spat out, ignoring Sean. "I already regret that I decided to talk to Rupert that day."
"We're not here for that."
"Then what are we here for?" He sneered.
"What does Victor Fox want from 'ERMAAS'?" I dryly asked, gazing intently into his deep blue eyes.
"That's a question you could ask over the phone. Answer: commercial secret. I can't disclose it until the documents are signed."
"No, Sam. You will tell me."
"On what grounds?"
"On the grounds that out of your trio, you're the least interested person in this collaboration. You have no desire to get involved in anything unclear. And I have facts that will lead you to refuse. Again, what does Victor Fox want from 'ERMAAS'?"
Sam paused, shifting his gaze from me to Sean, clearly not understanding what the hell he was doing here.
"He wants our company's shares to be purchasable with his coin."
"And what's in it for you?"
"Nothing. All the benefits go to Victor. His coin's value will increase and take on a new phase of development. Maybe that will draw attention to our company, but our plans are already laid out for the next five years."
"Then why are you agreeing?"
"At Said's request. Victor's son and Said's daughter are in love. Said guarantees that he will control the rise and fall of the coin, which won't affect our company. In the future, the coin will go to Fox's heiress. By that time, she'll already be a Shayne. I've already received a wedding invitation. So we can postpone our meeting for that."
His words stabbed at my chest. But not a single muscle twitched on my face. Not even an eyebrow raised. The tone in which Sam spoke gave me added confidence: he himself understood how ludicrous these promises sounded.
"Now we're getting to the reason for our meeting."
"Finally," Sam pulled his scarf from around his neck and tossed it onto an empty chair. "You have five minutes."
"We'll manage in three," Sean grinned. "And first, take a look at these documents. Have you heard of the FIDUCIA coin?"