Page 140 of When Hearts Collide

Chapter 51

“Thanks for meeting with us, Millie,” Lana says before wrapping me in a hug, her rose perfume wafting in the air. “I know it was last minute.”

This morning, Lana texted me out of the blue, asking if I could meet with her and a few others at The Menagerie within The Orchid in the afternoon to discuss strategy. We’ve met a few times after Grace and Taylor found out their connections to the Anderson family.

As of this morning, the Ethics Committee still hasn’t ruled on the case yet and I have no idea if my conversation with Dean Emery did any good, so it makes sense the Anderson family wants to play offense in this situation.

I squeeze her back as she ushers me through the intimate lounge decorated like a scene from the rainforest, with lush greenery and delicately painted gold vines on wallpaper, luxurious velvet sunken seating, pendant lighting that can double as artwork.

Pausing before I step through the open door of a private room, I say, “Lana, I want to apologize to you and your family for causing so much heartache for you all. I know a relationship takes two people, and this is not all on me, but the fallout has impacted everyone.”

“Nonsense,” a deep voice murmurs from inside the room.

Maxwell stands at my arrival with the same impeccable Anderson manners I’ve seen his brother display before. His bearing is tall, his hands behind his back, looking very much like the mysterious frigid king the press calls him, because he guards his privacy like Fort Knox protects its gold, and he never lets photos of him be published. Another tall, dark-haired man with a scar on his face stands next to him.

“My brother is damn lucky to have you. Judging from your actions and how you’re handling everything, he’s a fool to let you go.”

He flashes me a wry smile and in a split second, he looks like Ryland with the same sardonic tilt of the lip as if he can’t believe he’s experiencing a positive emotion.

“Thank you.”

“Please come in. This man,” he motions to the person next to him, “is Elias Kent. He handles the personnel for the Rose floors, among…other things.”

My mouth drops open and I quickly shut it. I may be a sheltered college student, but everyone knows of Elias Kent, the alleged crime boss who rules the underground.

Elias grins, no doubt an effort to make himself appear less threatening, as if anything can shake off the lethality in his green eyes and the alertness in his frame. It’s pretty much like staring at a lion attempting to smile at you.

Lana and I take our seats as Maxwell presses a button on the round table. A minute later, an attendant appears, bringing us a cart filled with various refreshments, from hot coffee to juices, bottled water, and trays of fruits and nuts.

Maxwell quirks a brow at me.

“W-Water is fine.”

Wordlessly, he uncaps a bottle before handing it to me. Then he pours coffee from a carafe into a cup.

“Black, like your soul.” He smirks, handing the cup to Lana, who rolls her eyes.

After everyone is settled, he begins, “We want to form a strategy to deal with the press and save Ryland from himself. Elias is here because he has information for us and insists on butting his nosy self into our business.”

“You’ll thank me later,” Elias murmurs while stirring the coffee in his cup.

“On the IPO front, we have a statement prepared to be released on Monday. Dad will come out of retirement to face the press. He is a much-loved member of the Anderson family and is a powerful leader, so his presence will soothe the waters,” Lana says.

She tucks a curl of dark hair behind her ear and continues, “Not to mention, we’ve just received a clean audit opinion we can share with the public as well. With our statement and Dad’s support, the IPO should proceed without issue. Then, in a week or so, after the dust settles, we’ll get Ryland in front of the cameras again.”

“I’ll be working in the background with the investors and assuaging any concerns they may have,” Maxwell adds. “What we need from you, if you agree, is to issue a statement of your own to the press as well, because they are waiting for you. And if you’re open to it, we can prepare that today with Lana’s help.”

I nod. This makes sense. I’ve been dodging the press left and right since the scandal broke a few weeks ago and I know I’ll eventually need to say something to get them to drop the subject.

Elias is quiet until this point. He clears his throat and leans forward. “I’m here today because I may have done something without your permission, but I can’t stand by and let that idiot lose everything because of some bullshit. I owe him and you, Maxwell, one.”

Maxwell lifts one brow. “What did you do, Elias?”

Elias turns to me and asks, “Millie, I’ve seen your transcripts. Straight-A student, very impressive.”

I don’t even want to ask him how he got his hands on my records.

His lips curve up into a soft smile. “How do you feel about graduating earlier?”

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