Theo James drew a slow breath and swept his hand toward the room full of guests.
"Do you people have any idea who's in this room? Whatever your business is, couldn't you pick a more appropriate time for it?"
"And besides, there was never any daughter between Meryl Finch and me. If you're so broke you can't make rent, sit down and have a meal. I'll welcome you with open arms."
The moment he finished, the crowd around him broke into applause, praising what a big man Mr. James was.
Theo pressed both hands down, waiting for the noise to settle before he spoke again.
"Yes, Meryl Finch borrowed money from me back then. You must have caught wind of this little rumor through some other channel. Hand over the originals, and I'll keep them as a keepsake. A small memento of an old friend."
"This matter ends right here. Understood?"
I had to give it to him. Theo James handled the turn with practiced grace.
But I'd come fully prepared too.
"Mr. James, you might want to take a look at this video. After you've seen it, I think you'll remember a few things."
I pulled out my phone and turned the volume up as high as it would go.
In the video, the attending physician spoke calmly.
"Old classmate. Do you still recognize me? Nathaniel Whitney."
"It's not that I didn't want to keep your secret. I just couldn't stand by and watch this mother and daughter suffer. What you did went too far."
"I'll stake my entire medical career on it. This young woman is your daughter, Theo James."
When the video ended, Bryan produced a document right on cue.
"From the prenatal checkup at the hospital back then. Theo James signed it himself."
A wave of shock rippled through the room. Letitia Mason and Adam James started ushering the guests toward the door.
But some of the heavy hitters stayed. A good number of them were shareholders of the James Group.
His expression unreadable, Theo invited us to sit. "With Nathaniel Whitney's word, fine, you can count as my daughter. So tell me, where is Meryl Finch? Why didn't she come?"
"You're wrong about that."
I shook my head. "Legally and medically, yes, I'm your daughter. But in my heart, I'm not."
"I came here today for one thing only. To take back what belongs to my mother."
Theo raised a hand and beckoned Letitia over, a thread of suspicion in his voice.
"Didn't you tell me all that money was paid back to Meryl years ago? What exactly is going on here?"
Letitia nodded, the picture of confidence.
"Every cent was returned. If this really is Meryl Finch's daughter, then she's come here looking to start trouble, plain and simple."
"But it doesn't matter. If it's money you want, name your figure. I'll even cover the full amount Meryl loaned to James Technologies back then."
"I do have one condition, though. We'll hand this money over freely, as compensation. And from this day forward, I don't want any of you disturbing our family's life again."
I watched the shareholders' faces ease slightly, and threw the mockery right back.
"Ma'am, you say it was paid back. Show us the proof."
"As for this compensation of yours, I don't want it. I want only the share my mother is owed."
"There's something else I'd like everyone here to know. Theo James and my mother were legally married. And they never divorced."
"Which means, in the eyes of the law, this woman here is the one who came between them. The mistress, in plain English."
Theo James let out a long sigh. Letitia opened her mouth to say something, but a single glare from him forced the words back down.
The hall stayed silent for a long while before Theo spoke again, his voice heavy.
"Say it. How much money do you actually want?"
I looked to Bryan. He understood, nodded, and rose to his feet.
"Mr. James, on behalf of my client, I'm here to inform you that according to the agreement you made with Ms. Finch back then, eighteen percent of the James Group's shares belong to her."
