Lauren stared at the document.
For a moment, she seemed unable to recognize the figures printed on the page.
Then she composed herself.
"That's an advisory agreement."
Richard folded his arms.
"Between Andrew's company and Whitmore Capital Advisory."
"Correct."
"And you control that company?"
Lauren looked toward Andrew.
"It's a legitimate consulting business."
Evelyn spoke calmly.
"Nobody has suggested otherwise."
"Then I don't understand why we're discussing it."
"Because the proposed acquisition includes fees paid to your company."
Lauren lifted her chin.
"Those fees compensate us for our work."
"What work?"
Lauren's expression hardened.
"Strategic introductions, market analysis, investor relations, and transaction coordination."
Caroline opened another file.
"Could you provide the supporting reports?"
"Of course."
"Copies of the market analysis?"
Lauren hesitated.
"They're being finalized."
"Meeting records?"
"We communicated extensively by email."
"Correspondence with the investors?"
Lauren glanced at Andrew again.
"Andrew has the records."
Andrew looked uncomfortable.
"I thought you were handling those."
"I am."
"Then why don't you have them?"
Lauren's voice sharpened.
"Because the documents are still being organized."
Evelyn watched the exchange without interrupting.
She had spent decades in business. She understood that genuine consultants could become defensive when their work was questioned.
But she also knew the difference between defensiveness and evasion.
"How much has Whitmore Capital Advisory received so far?" she asked.
Lauren looked offended.
"That's a private commercial matter."
"Not when the payments form part of the acquisition disclosures."
Richard nodded.
"Mrs. Carter is correct."
Lauren turned toward him.
"With respect, Mr. Bennett, these are ordinary professional fees."
"Then providing the documentation should be straightforward."
Andrew leaned forward.
"Can we please stop treating Lauren like she's done something wrong?"
Evelyn looked at him.
"Nobody has accused her of wrongdoing."
"Then why are you interrogating her?"
"Because this is a financial review."
"She's my fiancée!"
"And this is a business transaction."
Andrew's face flushed.
"You know what? I think you've made your point."
Evelyn remained composed.
"Have I?"
"Yes. You want to show everyone that you are in charge."
She looked at him for several seconds.
Then she spoke softly.
"Andrew, being in charge is not the same as being responsible."
He shook his head.
"You're making this personal."
"No. I'm trying very hard not to."
The room became silent.
Caroline closed her laptop.
"Perhaps we should take a short break."
Richard agreed.
"Ten minutes."
As everyone began leaving, Lauren approached Evelyn.
"Can I speak with you privately?"
Evelyn nodded.
Andrew walked out with Richard, leaving the two women alone.
Lauren waited until the door closed.
Then her expression changed.
"Look, I don't know what Andrew told you about me."
"Very little."
"That's because he's private."
"That is one way to describe it."
Lauren ignored the remark.
"I love your son. I want a future with him. Whatever you think of me, you should understand that."
Evelyn studied her face.
"Then why did you treat me the way you did downstairs?"
Lauren looked away.
"I was frustrated."
"You were embarrassed by my coat."
"I didn't mean—"
"You told the staff to remove me."
Lauren's cheeks reddened.
"Because I thought you were causing a disturbance."
"And when Andrew grabbed me?"
Lauren said nothing.
Evelyn leaned back.
"You had an opportunity to stop him."
"I didn't want to make things worse."
"Neither did I."
The older woman paused.
"Yet you chose to make things worse for me."
Lauren's eyes narrowed.
"Are you going to use this deal to punish us?"
Evelyn's expression remained unreadable.
"That depends on what the documents reveal."
Lauren stood.
"You're making a mistake."
Evelyn looked up.
"Perhaps. But I would rather make a mistake after examining the evidence than make a decision because someone tells me I should."
Lauren walked toward the door.
Before leaving, she turned.
"You may own a company, Mrs. Carter. But that doesn't mean you understand what Andrew and I are building together."
Evelyn gave her a small, almost sorrowful smile.
"I understand more than you think."
The door closed.
And Evelyn finally allowed herself to look at the photograph on her phone.
It was a picture of Andrew at six years old, standing beside her outside their first apartment.
She whispered to herself.
"I hope I haven't failed you."