Chapter 2: The Signature That Was Missing
Mr. Bennett's office smelled of old paper and freshly brewed coffee.
I arrived twenty minutes after receiving the message.
He was standing beside his desk, holding a thick folder.
"Ethan, sit down.""
I remained standing.
"Tell me what Mitchell Holdings wants.""
He opened the folder.
"The company purchasing your father's business is called Sterling Industrial Group. They initially offered twelve million dollars for the entire operation.""
"I know. I negotiated the price.""
"Correct. But yesterday, they submitted an amended agreement involving a strategic partnership with Mitchell Holdings.""
I pulled out a chair.
"And?""
"Mitchell Holdings wants access to your company's manufacturing patents, engineering equipment, and research facilities.""
I frowned.
"Those patents are for industrial components. What does that have to do with a medical technology company?""
"That's what concerns me.""
He slid a document across the desk.
I scanned the first page.
There were references to specialized pressure systems, precision valves, and medical equipment manufacturing.
Then I saw the name.
Northstar Medical Technologies.
"Why is Northstar involved?""
"Apparently, they've been negotiating with Mitchell Holdings for months.""
I leaned back.
"Naomi works there.""
Mr. Bennett nodded.
"I know.""
I stared at him.
"You knew?""
"I recognized the company when the paperwork arrived. I didn't know Naomi was personally involved until I checked the research disclosures.""
He handed me another sheet.
It contained a list of executive officers and major shareholders.
Adrian Mitchell was listed as managing director.
I tapped the page.
"He's not just an employee?""
"He's the majority shareholder.""
The room suddenly felt smaller.
I remembered Adrian's expensive watch, his confident smile, and the way he had looked at my flowers.
"Why would he need my company?""
"Your father's firm owns a patent that could significantly reduce the production cost of certain medical devices. Northstar has been trying to secure the manufacturing rights.""
"And Sterling?""
"Sterling is the intermediary.""
I rubbed my forehead.
"So my father's company is being bought to give Adrian access to its patents.""
"Potentially.""
"Can we stop it?""
"Absolutely. But there's another issue.""
He turned to the final page.
A document titled RESEARCH PARTNERSHIP AND INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY TRANSFER.
Naomi's name appeared near the bottom.
I read the paragraph twice.
"She's listed as a principal research consultant.""
"Yes.""
"Does she own any part of the patent?""
"No. But she has signed a preliminary agreement granting Northstar access to research developed under their funding program.""
I stared at the signature.
Naomi Carter.
She had told me her research was independent.
I had believed her.
"Did she know about this acquisition?""
"We don't know.""
I stood up.
"Call the other lawyers. Freeze everything.""
"Ethan, the sale agreement is legally binding in most respects. We can challenge the amendment, but we need grounds.""
"Then find them.""
Mr. Bennett watched me carefully.
"May I ask you something?""
"What?""
"Are you sure you want to keep fighting for this company?""
I looked at the framed photograph on his wall.
It showed my father standing in front of his factory, one arm around a younger version of me.
"That company was his entire life.""
"And you sold it.""
"I sold it to pay for someone else's future.""
Mr. Bennett didn't respond.
I picked up my phone.
There were three missed calls from Naomi.
I called her back.
She answered immediately.
"Ethan! Where are you?""
"At Bennett's office.""
"Why?""
"We need to talk.""
"About what?""
"Northstar.""
Silence.
Then she said, "What about it?""
"Your research agreement.""
Her breathing changed.
"How did you find out about that?""
"Does it matter?""
"Yes, it does. Ethan, you shouldn't be involving yourself in my professional affairs.""
I stared at the phone.
"My professional affairs?""
"Please don't make this difficult.""
"Did you sign an agreement giving Northstar access to your research?""
"That's confidential.""
"Naomi, answer the question.""
She exhaled sharply.
"Yes.""
"When?""
"Last year.""
"Before or after Adrian entered your life?""
Another silence.
Then she said, "I have to go.""
"Naomi.""
"I'll call you later.""
The line went dead.
Mr. Bennett had heard enough to understand.
"She knew," he said.
"Maybe.""
"Ethan, I don't think you should meet Adrian alone.""
I almost smiled.
"I don't intend to meet him at all.""
But that afternoon, Adrian made the decision for me.
At 4:17 p.m., I received an invitation to a private dinner at the Sterling Hotel.
The message was short.
*Mr. Mitchell would like to discuss the acquisition and clear up any misunderstandings.*
I nearly deleted it.
Then another message arrived.
This time from Naomi.
*Please come. Adrian wants to explain everything. I think you owe it to me to hear him out.*
I stared at the words.
I owed her?
I had spent six years paying bills she couldn't afford, listening to her fears, and telling her she was capable of achieving things she didn't believe possible.
And now she thought I owed her a conversation with the man who had replaced me.
Still, I went.
The hotel restaurant occupied the top floor, with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city.
Adrian sat at a corner table.
Naomi was beside him.
She wore a cream-colored dress and the diamond bracelet I had bought her for our fifth anniversary.
I stopped.
She noticed my gaze and quickly pulled her sleeve down.
Adrian stood.
"Ethan. Glad you could make it.""
I sat opposite them.
"Let's get to the point.""
He poured himself a glass of water.
"Straightforward. I like that.""
Naomi looked uncomfortable.
"Can we please have dinner first?""
"No," I said.
"We can talk first.""
Adrian smiled.
"Fine. Sterling wants your company's patents. Northstar needs the manufacturing infrastructure. It's a sensible partnership.""
"Why wasn't that disclosed in the original offer?""
"Because the details weren't finalized.""
"Convenient.""
He leaned forward.
"Look, I understand you're emotionally attached to the business. But you made the decision to sell it.""
"My decision was based on the agreement I signed.""
"And you'll be paid handsomely.""
"Then why do you need my additional signature?""
Adrian's smile faded slightly.
"Because your approval would simplify the transition.""
"Meaning?""
"Meaning we want to avoid legal complications.""
Naomi touched his arm.
"Adrian, maybe we should explain the research agreement.""
He nodded.
"Of course.""
He turned to me.
"Naomi has been working on a medical device prototype. Northstar invested considerable resources in its development. Your father's company has the production capabilities we need.""
I looked at Naomi.
"Is this the same project you told me was funded by the university?""
She looked down.
"It started there.""
"And the money I transferred?""
"That was for my living expenses.""
"What about the additional research fees?""
Her voice became defensive.
"I never asked you to pay those.""
I laughed once.
"You called me at midnight because you were going to lose your lab access.""
"I was under pressure.""
"So was I.""
Adrian placed his fork down.
"Let's not turn this into a relationship discussion.""
I looked at him.
"You're the one who invited me.""
He reached into his jacket and placed a document on the table.
"This is the final approval. Sign it, and everyone gets what they want.""
I didn't touch it.
"What's in it?""
"Standard acquisition language.""
"Then you won't mind my lawyer reviewing it.""
His jaw tightened.
Naomi looked at me.
"Ethan, please. Don't do this.""
I studied her face.
"Do you know what you're asking me to sign?""
She hesitated.
Adrian answered for her.
"She understands the commercial arrangement.""
I turned to him.
"I asked Naomi.""
She opened her mouth.
Then Adrian's phone rang.
He checked the screen and stood.
"Excuse me. I need to take this.""
As he walked away, Naomi leaned toward me.
"Ethan, I know you're hurt.""
"Hurt?""
"I didn't want things to happen this way.""
"Then why did they?""
She rubbed her fingers together.
"Adrian understands the world I'm trying to enter. He can give me opportunities you never could.""
I stared at her.
"I gave you every opportunity I had.""
"I know.""
"Do you?""
She looked toward the window.
"I need you to sign the agreement. It would mean everything to my career.""
I slowly pushed the document back.
"No.""
Her eyes widened.
"Ethan.""
"I'm not signing anything until my lawyer reviews it.""
She shook her head.
"You always do this.""
"Do what?""
"Make everything about what you've sacrificed.""
I stood.
For a moment, I couldn't find the right words.
Then I said, "I never wanted you to repay me, Naomi. I only wanted you to remember I was there.""
I turned to leave.
But before I reached the elevator, a woman in a dark green coat stepped into my path.
"Mr. Reed?""
"Yes?""
"My name is Victoria Hayes. I'm Northstar's former financial controller.""
I glanced back toward the restaurant.
"Former?""
She handed me a small envelope.
"Please don't sign anything Adrian gives you.""
"Why?""
Her eyes moved nervously toward the restaurant doors.
"Because the money used to fund Naomi's research didn't come from Adrian.""
I frowned.
"Who did it come from?""
May you like
Victoria swallowed.
"Your company.""
