Page 205 of Mad As Hell

He winced. “I’m sorry, Maddie. I didn’t mean that.”

I blew out a long breath, still feeling a bit raw from my conversation with Royal. “It’s fine.”

Ryan pulled me to a stop. “No, it’s not. I wasn’t thinking.”

“I wish our problems were as simple as a disapproving father,” I grumbled.

He pushed the hair away from my face with gentle hands. “I know, baby. But we put the plan in motion. Now we need to have faith.”

“When did you get all optimistic and positive?” I deadpanned.

He winked and pushed open the door to the sitting room where I’d first met his grandfather while murmuring, “When I married my dream girl.”

Heat suffused my cheeks, and I ducked my head so Mr. Harris wouldn’t see it as I entered the room in front of Ryan.

“Close the door, please,” Mr. Harris requested, waiting for Ryan to do so before continuing. “Ryan, there’s a file over there. If you would be so kind? Maddie, please have a seat.”

I sank into the chair across from him as Ryan went to get the folder. He handed it to his grandfather before sitting beside me.

Mr. Harris held the file, and a sad smile tipped up the corners of his mouth before he sighed and passed it to me.

I took it, confusion wrinkling my brow. “What’s this?”

“Open it,” he replied.

Out of the corner of my eye, I looked at Ryan, but he shook his head. He was just as in the dark as I was.

I flipped open the file and looked at the papers in front of me, confused when I saw MADELAINE CABOT listed as… the owner?

Ryan peered over my shoulder, then his head snapped up. “What…”

“Your plan got me thinking,” Mr. Harris began, folding his hands in his lap. “This is the way I protect those I love the most. I remove your father’s influence entirely from Brookfield if I give it to your wife. And it stays in the family if she owns the land, the stables, and the vineyard.”

“You’re giving me Brookfield?” I whispered, staring at him.

He inclined his head. “Technically, yes, but I’m anticipating you and Ryan sharing it when Beckett can no longer try to force it from his hands.”

“Grandpa.” Ryan’s voice broke. “I don’t…”

Mr. Harris sighed. “I’m dying, my boy. We both know it. When your Nana and I decided to leave the estate to our great-grandchildren, we never expected Beckett to be callous enough to use Corinne, and company bylaws state that the owner must be a relation of the founder, either by blood or marriage. If Madison owns Brookfield, Beckett will never have it.”

“I don’t know what to say.” My fingers tightened around the papers. “This is Ryan and Corinne’s legacy.”

“And yours,” Mr. Harris replied firmly, his eyes flashing with determination. “I know it’s in good hands, because your first instinct was to include Ryan and Cori in your argument. You try to protect them without thinking. I wish my Clara was here to see you for herself, but I can’t wait to tell her all about the woman who tamed our grandson when I see her again.”

“But…” I looked helplessly at Ryan.

“All that’s left to do is for you to sign,” Mr. Harris interrupted. “I would advise not telling Gary or Beckett about this. Use it as another bullet in your arsenal to take them down. I’m sorry I won’t be here to see for myself when they both finally crumble.”

Ryan’s head bowed, and I couldn’t stop myself from reaching out to take his hand. He squeezed mine back so hard it nearly stole my breath. He wasn’t a man who would break down and cry, but this might be as close as he got.

He loved his grandfather, one of the few adults who had given him unconditional love and support. And he was going to lose him very, very soon.

I met Mr. Harris’s eyes and he smiled softly at me, an understanding passing between us as I promised to do whatever I could to help Ryan and Corinne survive his loss.

Mr. Harris cleared his throat after a silent pause. “Now, I believe Corinne has requested my presence for a movie night. Would you like to join us? It’d be nice to have the whole family together.”

My gaze lingered on Ryan before I answered for us both. “We’d love to.”

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