Chapter 18 - THE FALL OF THE ASHFORDS
Margaret Ashford survived scandal better than most people survived winter.
She made calls.
Hired attorneys.
Released statements.
Claimed emotional distress.
Claimed misunderstanding.
Claimed Sienna had acted independently.
Unfortunately for Margaret, Maeve had saved every message.
Gabriel had copies.
The hospital had payment records.
The Ashford stylist had signed invoices.
The wedding license contained false identification.
And Sienna, facing charges connected to the armed intrusion, stopped protecting her mother within forty-eight hours.
Margaret was arrested on fraud and coercion charges.
Not because Elias ordered it.
Maeve insisted everything go through ordinary law enforcement.
“No favors.”
She told him.
“No disappearing evidence.”
“No quiet threats.”
Elias looked almost offended.
“I can behave legally.”
Maeve raised an eyebrow.
“For how long?”
He did not answer.
Finn left rehabilitation three weeks later.
He met Elias for the first time in a private hospital courtyard.
Finn looked him up and down.
“So you’re the fake cripple.”
Maeve covered her face.
“Finn.”
Elias extended a hand.
“So I’ve been told.”
Finn shook it.
“My sister cried over you.”
“Finn.”
Maeve’s warning became sharper.
Elias looked at her.
“She did?”
Finn nodded.
“Terrible judgment.”
“Runs in the family.”
Maeve stared at both of them.
“I regret arranging this meeting.”
Finn laughed.
It was the healthiest sound Maeve had heard from him in years.
That evening, Elias drove Maeve home.
Not the estate.
Her apartment.
Security had been repaired.
Victor’s people were gone.
Maeve stood outside the building.
“You could come back.”
Elias said.
She looked at him.
“Not yet.”
He nodded.
She studied his face.
“You’re actually respecting the answer.”
“I am evolving.”
“Slowly.”
“Very.”
Maeve smiled.
Then her expression became serious.
“What happens now?”
“With us?”
“With everything.”
Elias looked toward the city.
“Victor believes the scandal weakened me.”
“Did it?”
“Yes.”
She expected denial.
His honesty surprised her.
“Several partners are reconsidering alliances.”
“Some legitimate?”
“Some.”
“And the rest?”
He looked at her.
“You still don’t want details.”
“Probably not.”
Elias nodded.
“I can keep fighting for what I had.”
“Or?”
“Or change what I have.”
Maeve frowned.
“What does that mean?”
“My uncle has wanted me out of certain businesses for years.”
“Illegal businesses.”
“Yes.”
Maeve stared.
“You would leave?”
“Not because you asked.”
“I didn’t.”
“I know.”
He looked at her.
“Because I am tired.”
That was the most vulnerable thing Elias had ever said.
Not afraid.
Not angry.
Tired.
Maeve stepped closer.
“Power costs something.”
“My uncle told me that when I was nineteen.”
“You didn’t listen?”
“I was nineteen.”
“Fair.”
He smiled faintly.
Maeve looked at the apartment entrance.
Then back at him.
“You can come up for coffee.”
Elias’s eyes narrowed.
“Is that pity?”
“No.”
“Debt?”
“No.”
“Forgiveness?”
“Definitely not.”
“What is it?”
Maeve opened the door.
“Coffee.”
May you like
Elias followed her inside.
For once, he did not ask the question twice.
