“That works for you,” says Joe. “No one has time to read it before we vote.”
“I’ve read it,” says an older gentleman in a sweater and a bowtie. “And I’m with Fiona. This meeting is an absolute farce.”
“Whose fault is that?” says Joe. “Liam is the one who dated this young woman. We need someone more stable and mature to run this company.”
“I don’t get it,” the white-haired man asks. “If you like him, why did you make him the villain?”
“I was hurt and angry when he said he didn’t want to see me again in February. But to be clear, I was not his employee, and nothing, not even a kiss, ever happened between us when I worked for him.”
“And you made him a villain?” asks another man. “That makes no sense.”
“For goodness sake,” a woman with silver hair in a pixie cut exclaims. “Stop grilling her. We all do stupid things for love.”
“Are you in love with him?” asks the first navy suit.
I bite my lip. This is something I’d much rather tell Liam in person. But also, I will do everything I can to help him.
“Liam and I have been writing to each other for the past six months. From his emails, I’ve learned a lot. Can I share an email from him?” There are nods around the room. I pull his email up on my phone. I read slowly and deliberately, leaving time for each word to sink in.
I’ve received so many offers to sell the various Pemberley companies. Some have been very tempting. Not just the money, but also the promise of more free time. Running this business requires long hours, and someone is always angry at me. But then, I’m reminded of how good it feels to feed the world. I’m proud to run this family business. The benefit of owning a private company is we don’t have to cut jobs with every bad season; and we can pay a fair price to the family farms who supply us. So, sure, running Pemberley can be a headache, but it’s worth it. For me, this job is the best way to do the most good in the world.
I pause for several beats, letting his words sink in.
“Liam was just writing a letter to a girl. He wasn’t trying to defend himself to a boardroom.” I hold up my phone with his email. “But this! This is the man you’re questioning. He loves this company and always gives his best. I don’t think it’s fair play for you to hold this meeting while he and the rest of the owners are out of the country. I stare at Joe Whittaker, who has the decency to look away, ashamed.
“Furthermore, on my way here, I got a phone call informing me that Joe Whittaker’s son, Noah sent these photos to the influencer who raised the questions about Liam. I’ve since received a text from Ms. Book Boyfriend confirming that she was first tipped off to this story by a user with the handle @NoahWay.”
“Is that so?” Fiona turns to Joe, sitting beside her, and gives him a haughty, condemning look.
“I can’t stop my son.” Joe throws his hands up into the air.
“Yes, but you’re all too eager to benefit from his misdeeds.”
“The influencer said that this same @NoahWay is the one who first told her about the book and the villain’s uncanny resemblance to Liam,” I continue. “I have notes and records of his reaching out for anyone who needs confirmation.”
Astonished murmurs travel through the room. Everyone is as shocked and dismayed. Caroline told me all of this immediately before the meeting. My best guess is that Noah found out my pen name when he was reading over my shoulder at work. He finally read my book and saw a way to get revenge on Liam and his family.
“That’s all good,” says the white-haired man in the navy suit. “But you never answered my question. Do you love him?”
“I don’t see how that’s relevant,” I answer.
“I find it very relevant.” My heart stops at the sound of Liam’s voice. He stands in the doorway, looking rumpled and haggard like he came straight from the airport from an overseas flight. He’s wearing a blazer over a T-shirt and jeans. He has dark circles under his eyes and his hair is disheveled. In other words, he looks absolutely perfect.
“Do you really need the answer?” I ask.
He nods. “But not now.” His eyes hold mine. I stand on the far side of the room. Between us sits the entire board of Pemberley Almonds and yet, for a moment, the space between us contracts.
“These board members have been asking why I put you in my book,” I tell him. “I didn’t give them the whole answer because it seems like something you should hear. Now that you’re here, I’ll answer.”
“Please do.” He ambles over and takes his seat at the head of the table, all the while keeping his steadfast, earnest gaze on me.
I swallow. “Okay, well... as I said earlier, when Liam and I first met, it was a bit of a rough start. I liked him, but I didn’t want to because we got in a fight. But I liked him so much, I couldn’t stop thinking about him. The only way to get him out of my head was to put him in a book.”
“So, you do love him!” The white-haired man in the navy suit slaps the table.
In response, I shrug, then nod my head.
“We got our answer,” says Fiona, smiling a knowing smile. “Now, let’s leave the young woman alone. I think we have enough info to vote.”
