Chapter 20
Eliana had honestly believed Logan would follow through this time. He’d sounded so sure. But after two days of radio silence, she had no choice but to call and push.
To her surprise, he was almost cooperative. He dispatched his assistant, Andrew, to accompany her through the entire land transfer process.
When it was finally done, and she held the deed with her father’s name–Charles Lyons–restored as the sole owner, a wave of pure relief washed over her.
That relief evaporated the moment they stepped out of the Land Registry office. Andrew hesitated, looking at her with an expression that was clearly troubled. “Is something wrong?” Eliana asked, picking up on his unease.
He hadn’t planned to get involved. But he remembered his first days at Eliot Group, green and drowning under a barrage of office politics. Eliana, who had just been coldly dismissed by Logan herself, had offered him a kind word.
The longer he worked for Logan, the more he saw the quiet, steady kindness in Eliana that everyone else took for granted. He couldn’t stand by and watch her walk into a trap.
“Mrs. Eliot, about the project on the Westridge land,” he began, voice low. “The contracts for that development, Mr. Eliot had them signed in your name. You came to the office that day and agreed without really looking.
“Even after the land was transferred to Mr. Eliot’s name, the project contracts were never updated. They’re still in your
name.
“Back then, Mr. Eliot probably did it for convenience. But now that you’re taking the land back, you’re taking the project, and all its obligations, with it.
“That project is funded by venture capital. There are strict deadlines. If it’s not completed and operational on time… the Lyons family will be liable for… catastrophic penalties.”
He glanced around, his meaning clear. He’d said too much already. “I should go. Take care, Mrs. Eliot.”
As Andrew hurried away, Eliana stood frozen on the sidewalk, the newly–printed deed feeling like lead in her hand. The brief joy she’d felt was completely gone.
She racked her brain, trying to remember. Logan had always kept her away from his work. Except for that one day. He’d called, asked her to bring lunch.
She’d been so thrilled by the rare request, she’d rushed over. He’d let her stay after they ate.
When some investors arrived, he’d slid a document toward her. “Just need the lady of the house to sign here, for formality’s sake, he’d said, offhand. She’d been so happy to be included, to feel useful, she’d scribbled her name without a second thought.
In her past life, they’d never gotten to the divorce, so this had never come up. Now, thinking back, a chilling realization dawned.
“Was he already setting up a trap back then? Or was it just careless convenience that he’s now decided to use against me?
‘It didn’t matter. The result was the same. No wonder he agreed so easily this time,’ she thought, a bitter taste in her mouth. ‘He was waiting for me right here!
‘Six years of marriage, and he’d been calculating against me the whole time. The thought made her eyes sting, but the anger burned hotter than the hurt.
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Chapter 20
20 vouchers
She was furious at her past self–so desperate for his approval she’d sign anything he put in front of her. She’d thought getting the land back was the key to saving her family. Now it seemed she might have handed them a lit fuse instead.
Her fears were confirmed almost immediately. With the funding pipeline severed, supplies to the construction site dried up. Work ground to a halt. Every day of delay meant losses in the hundreds of thousands–losses the Lyons‘ depleted coffers couldn’t sustain.
Worse were the people. Panic spread among the workers and subcontractors. Fears over unpaid wages and invoices turned into protests at the site, which soon escalated into angry crowds showing up at the Lyons Group headquarters.
Eliana didn’t have the energy to wonder why they came to Lyons Group first and not Eliot Group. All she cared about was protecting her parents. She rushed to the office, facing the crowd herself, making promises that the project would continue, that everyone would be paid.
After temporarily calming the storm, Eliana was left with a knot of anxiety in her stomach. She called Irene.
“The core problem is your signature,” Irene said, getting straight to the point. “Even if you sue Logan for misappropriating the VC funds, that’s a long, drawn–out legal battle. Your project doesn’t have that kind of time.
“The only viable option is to fight on two fronts. Gather evidence that Logan siphoned off the investment money, and simultaneously find a new VC firm willing to step in and fill the funding gap.
“It’s not the cleanest solution–you’ll end up with two major investors on board–but mathematically, it could work. It might be enough to pull your dad’s company out of the fire.”
Irene’s analysis mirrored her own. The real challenge was the second part. Where could she possibly find another investor willing to step into such a messy, high–stakes situation?
“I know what you’re thinking,” Irene continued. “I actually have someone in mind. But I don’t know if you’re willing to approach him, or if you can convince him. For him, a problem of this scale might not even be that big of a deal.”
As Irene spoke, a name instantly flashed into Eliana’s mind. She clung to a faint hope that Irene meant someone else. “Who are you talking about?”
“Nathan Turner. His firm is the biggest VC player in the game right now. If he’s willing to help, Logan’s little schemes won’t stand a chance.” Irene answered.
“But Eliana, it’s like choosing between the wolf and the tiger. The decision is yours.” Eliana only needed one night to decide.
She wanted nothing to do with either man. But cutting ties with Logan cleanly and quickly was the absolute priority. Her history with Nathan was old, personal–a wound from their youth.
What Logan had done, his indifference, the betrayal she’d witnessed in her past life, that was a fresh, festering hurt she could never forget. This time, no matter the cost, she had to get away from him.
Irene got her Nathan’s number. Taking a deep steadving breath. Eliana made the call.
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
