Matthew paused at the elevator, a flicker of coldness in his eyes that disappeared almost instantly.


    Reese stood right beside him, catching every word from the phone call. Her brow creased just a bit. Joseph was really in a hurry, wasn''t he? He must think Matthew''s illness will keep him out of the Meyer family''s business, giving Joseph a perfect chance to move in.


    Matthew nced over at Reese, then slipped his hand into hers as they stepped out of the elevator. “How many shareholders has he reached? What are they saying?"


    "He''s contacted most of them," Karter answered quickly. "Some of the older, usually neutral shareholders seem to have been convinced by promises of quick profits. They''ve already said they''ll back him."


    "And Joseph is spreading rumors, too. He''s telling people your illness did permanent damage, that you won''t be able to really run thepany anymore. He''s also hinting that, since you''re not a true Ratcliff, you''re just taking up space, like an outsider who shouldn''t even be a candidate."


    Matthew''s mouth curled up with the faintest trace of a mocking smile. Still, his fingers moved gently across the back of Reese''s hand, as if to quietlyfort her.


    "Got it. What time''s the meeting?"


    “Three o''clock, in the boardroom on the top floor at Ratcliff Global.”


    Karter hesitated before adding, "Should I try to contact our shareholders and ask for


    a dy, maybe argue the meeting isn''t following proper procedures?"


    "Or I can go to headquarters right now and find some way to stall.”


    "No need." Matthew''s voice was calm and steady. "I''ll be there at three."


    He hung up and looked down at Reese. The coldness in his eyes had fadedpletely, reced with a deep, gentle warmth. "Sorry about this. Looks like our sushi ns are on hold."


    Reese shook her head and met his gaze. "This is more important. I''ming with you to Ratcliff Global."


    She remembered that Mr. Ratcliff


    had left herpany shares before he passed away. She still didn''t know why and the wit


    had never


    been made public, but it meant she


    was allowed at the board meeting.


    Matthew raised his eyebrows, surprised for a second before giving her a knowing smile. "You want to see it for yourself?"


    "Yes." Reese nodded, gripping his hand a little tighter. "Joseph has already tricked the Meyer family and taken so much. Now he thinks he can walk all over you. I want to see how he ns to take the charman''s seat while I''m sitting right there."


    And she still had something on Sebastian. Maybe she''d get a chance to use it at just the right moment.


    Matthew saw the determination in her eyes and felt a little spark inside. He reached up and gently messed up her hair, his tone soft and indulgent.


    "Alright. Time to show you what a Ratcliff Global family mess really looks like."


    They got into the car, but Matthew


    didnt right away. Instead, he


    his phone from the glove


    pand sent a few quick messages


    box


    to Karter.


    Reese nced over, a question in her eyes.


    "Aren''t we going straight to Ratcliff Global? We''ve got over an hour. Getting there early might give us time to prepare."


    Matthew set his phone down and turned to her, a mysterious smile on his lips. “No need to rush."


    "The more desperate Joseph looks, the calmer we need to be."


    "He expects me to show up in a panic and ruin his ns. I''m not giving him that satisfaction."