Once the audio file and Nicole''s photo finished loading, Reese''s phone lit up. She took a steadying breath and answered the call.
"Ms. Meyer, we''ve received the recording. With this evidence, I''ll be working with my colleagues to set up a special task force and reopen the investigation from back then," the officer said, voice crisp and professional. "We also got the documents you sent about Dylon shorting Ramos Corporation. The police have officiallyunched an investigation."
When the call ended, Reese stared out the car window, watching the scenery blur by. She finally let out a shaky sigh.
After the police reopened the case, it would be only a matter of time before the truth behind her mother''s ident came to light.
Her phone rang again. Bailey''s name shed across the screen. Reese hesitated before picking up. Now that she''d tracked down Alex and uncovered the truth, she knew she owed the Meyer family a call-no matter howplicated things were.
She barely had time to say hello before Bailey''s furious voice exploded through the line.
"Reese, what the hell were you doing? Why didn''t you answer your phone?
"Did you find out your brother and I were trying to win the civilian side of the de project? Did you go behind our backs and say something to the project lead? Is that why Vista Tech got rejected?
"Do you just not want the Meyer family to seed?
"As if it wasn''t enough that you caused your mother''s death-now you''re pretending to agree to have a second child with Sebastian just to get your hands on the Meyer shares, all while sabotaging Vista Tech''s de deal behind our backs!
"Reese, what exactly are you after?"
Reese blinked, stunned.
She''d actually arranged for Matthew to meet Vista Tech''s representative today. But George had called that morning to say Grace''s people had left Alex''s ce, and Reese knew her window to meet Alex was closing fast. So she''d handed off the Vista Tech meeting to Matthew.
She honestly had no idea Vista Tech was tied to the Meyer family.
Thinking back to how Hank had made a scene at ckOak over Sofia, Reese realized Matthew must''ve figured things out and probably hadn''t treated Hank kindly. Now Bailey was calling, looking for someone to me.
When Reese didn''t answer right away, Bailey doubled down, her anger rising.
"I don''t care what you did, but you have three days to make this deal between Vista Tech and ckOak happen if you don''t, I don''t care if you''re pregnant with Sebastian''s child-you won''t see a single share your mother left you!"
Reese''s lips curled into a bitter smile. Those shares were supposed to be her and Hank''s safety. her mother''s way of protecting them after discovering Bailey''s affair and Sofia''s existence. Now Bailey was using them as leverage.
"Bailey, I didn''t even know Vista Tech was connected to the Meyer family. If I had,
I never would''ve even set up that meeting for you.
"If Vista Tech wants the de contract, fine. But you''d better prove you have what
it takes. Oh, and get the share transfer agreement ready. Otherwise, there''s nothing to talk about."
Bailey was caught off guard by her confidence. His voice rose, defensive. "Are you threatening me now?"
But the de project meant everything for Vista Tech, and for the Meyer family''s future. He forced himself to calm down. Secure the partnership and get pregnant with Sebastian''s child, and I''ll transfer the shares to you. That''s my promise."
Reese''sshes trembled. "Those shares were always meant for me. Mom left them for me," she said quietly.
"You have no right to talk about her!" Bailey snapped.
Marie''s death was the wound Bailey could never let heal. Hearing Reese mention her mother, something in him snapped. "If it hadn''t been for you, she''d still be alive!"
Reese''s throat tightened. After a long silence, she finally spoke, voice barely above a whisper. "All these years, you''ve ignored me. Is it because you''ve always believed I was the reason Mom died?
"What if... what if I told you it wasn''t me? Would you regret how you''ve treated me all these years?"