"Don''t think you''re untouchable just because Matthew''s on your side. You really think you can just barge in, mess with the Vista Tech and ckOak deal, and threaten Dad over his shares?


    "And what have you ever done for this family, huh? Why do you think you get to just show up and take what you want?"


    "Take what I want?" Reese let out a low, coldugh. "Hank, do you really think the Meyer family would be where it is today if it weren''t for my mom?"


    "Those shares? They''re mine. She left them for me. Why shouldn''t I have them?


    "And look at you. You''re enjoying everything she built, calling someone else ''Mom'' like it''s nothing. All these years, you never once tried to find out what really happened in that car ident. You just med me for everything.


    "You really think that''s what Mom would have wanted? That it makes you feel any better?"


    "Say that again, I dare you!" Hank snapped. He was so furious he lunged at her, hand raised to shove her away.


    But before he could even touch her, someone grabbed his wrist in a vice-like grip.


    Matthew''s gaze flickered to Reese''s reddened wrist, his eyes turning stormy. His grip tightened. Hank''s face twisted in pain, sweat instantly popping out on his forehead.


    "Mr. Meyer," Matthew''s voice was icy and sharp, every wordced with anger. "Reese is your sister. You really think it''s okay toy a hand on her?"


    "Matthew, this isn''t your business," Hank ground out, trying to ignore the pain. "She''s my sister. It''s my right to discipline her."


    Matthew''s eyes narrowed. His grip tightened even more. "Apologize."


    Hank bit back a groan, his pride warring with the pain that shot up his arm, but he still wouldn''t budge.


    Matthew''s tone turned casual, but anyone could hear the warning simmering underneath. “I guess Vista Tech isn''t that serious about this partnership."


    He nced at Hank. "You really think just after the contract''s signed, the rights to de will be yours? Your tform still has to prove it can even run our system."


    Bailey, who''d hurried after Matthew, broke out in a cold sweat. He knew Matthew was in charge of de, and if he said the tech wasn''t up to standard that was it. Even if Sofia could get things running, Matthew could make their lives hell if he wanted to.


    The bank loan had just cleared. If the de project didn''tunch this month, the Meyer family wouldn''t even make it to the official release—there''d be no money


    left.


    Bailey quickly jumped in. "No, really, we can do it. Matthew, please don''t take it to heart Hank just lost his temper. He didn''t mean to hurt Reese. Please fogive him."


    He shot Hank a look that could kill, silently telling him to apologize.


    Hank was more aware than anyone how desperate things had gotten Recently, lots of their deals failed to work out. He swallowed his pride. "I, uh, went too far just now Don''t take #personally."


    "Not good enough," Matthew said, his grip tightening.


    "Ah! I''m sorry, Reese! I''m sorry, okay? I shouldn''t have acted like that. Can you forgive me?"


    Only then did Matthew finally let go.


    Reese didn''t even acknowledge Hank. She just turned to Matthew. "So, how did your talk go?"


    Matthew didn''t answer right away. Ever since Hank had dragged Reese out of the meeting, Matthew had been right behind. He just shot Bailey a look.


    Bailey got the message loud and clear-and for a second, he was actually shocked at how much Matthew clearly cared about Reese.