Page 25 of The Billion Dollar Bet

“That did happen,” he admitted. “I was the one who started the whole thing. But you know Devin, he has to outdo everyone. He’s always been competitive and loves winning.”

“Get to the point Barry.”

“Miss Cassie, before you came along, Devin was this irresponsible guy who cared about nothing in particular. For the past month he’s been learning everything he can about Sampell Industries in order to do what his grandfather really wanted.”

“Sampell?” she asked, her eyes narrowing as she tried to make sense of what was being said. “Are you talking about Sampell Industries? The same Sampell Industries that operates the VitaLove Foundation?”

A light headed feeling washed over her as Barry nodded. Everything began to make sense. The anonymity of her sponsor. It started just days after meeting him in that restaurant. He must have researched her and found out about her work. No wonder he always asked about her research.

Cassie stood and scrambled to the kitchen, ignoring Barry asking her if she was okay. She needed a few minutes to breathe and assimilate this. How could she have dated a guy without first knowing who he was? She’d fallen for Devin the man, not his family wealth. She’d told herself she didn’t need to know about his family status. Now that decision to stay in the dark was biting her in the ass. Her entire project now depended on her response to this shit storm.

The grant for the research had already been deposited in her bank account and she had purchased some new lab equipment. Two young scientists that she’d scouted from MIT were supposed to be coming to work with her within the next three days. They were looking forward to working with her on the project.

Cassie moved to the kitchen sink, opened the faucet and splashed cool water on her face. She then took a cup and filled it water, downing it in a few gulps. After a well needed time out, she returned to the living room and took her seat.

“Are you okay, Miss Cassie?”

“Tell me Barry, did Devin have anything to do with my grant from the foundation?”

“Yes, but there’s a reason.”

“Oh, his ego?”

“His father.”

Devin never having spoken about his father other than the fact that his parents divorced before his father died Cassie failed to understand the connection. What she recalled was him telling her that his father died when he was about to enter junior high.

“I don’t understand.”

Barry leaned forward, his elbows on his knees. “His father died from complications of Encephalitis.”

He paused and watched her. She could see he was allowing the information to sink in and it did. Like her mother, his father died from the complications of a viral infection. With her mother it was the simple flu. With Devin’s father it was a brain disease.

“Oh gosh,” she breathed. “I didn’t know.”

“He doesn’t like to talk about it, but I’m sure he would have told you. He was planning to tell you everything at the month’s end, even about the bet although though he called it all weeks ago.”

“He called off the bet,” she knew the words sounded familiar, but she’d been so caught up in her emotions they hadn’t registered until now.

“Yes, and that’s why Devin’s so angry. Why would Carter send you this after knowing there was no longer a bet? Unless he wanted to hurt Devin.”

“Why would he want to hurt him?”

“Well, Carter wasn’t very pleased about Devin liking a black girl and when Devin said he was going to marry you, Carter said some things. Devin punched him. There is a rift between the two since Devin fell in love with you.”

Cassie treacherous heart somersaulted and started into a one hundred meter sprint. “He said that he’d marry me? He punched Carter for me?”

“And now he’s threatening to kill Carter for hurting you. But Carter went to London. Knowing Devin, he might fly to London to confront Carter.”

There was a lot to process, and even though she understood why Devin arranged for her to get the grant from his company’s foundation, and she realized that he’d called the bet off. She would not let him off the hook so easily. He kept things from her and she needed someone who would be honest with her completely. Moreover, the pain caused wasn’t so easy to erase. It was going to take more than a conversation with his best friend to forgive him … if she was so inclined.

After Barry left, Cassie went down to her lab space and stood in the center of the room. She had a choice to make. She could either return the money from VitaLove and seek other avenues for sponsorship or accept it knowing Devin was behind it. Yes, his intensions were noble and came from the same place as her own need to make this a success.

She could not believe that such tragic circumstances was the common bond they shared. They each had a parent whose demise was caused through viral infections. Could it be fate? Cassie shook her head and let out a breath. What should she do?

Don’t be an idiot Cassie, the voice in her head said. Think of it this way, you have the brains and he has the money. You need the money.

“And what does Devin need?” she asked the empty room. The empty room stared back at her without answer.

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