Chapter 11 - JAMES CALLS AVAJames Calloway asked Ava to meet privately.
She almost refused.
Then agreed in public coffee shop.
He arrived without driver or assistant.
“Claire knows I’m here.”
“Good.”
He smiled.
“Still you.”
“What do you want?”
“The Westmore review.”
Ava’s expression hardened.
“You know?”
“My father’s company received fees.”
“Exactly.”
James sighed.
“I didn’t negotiate them.”
“Did you know amount?”
“Not full amount.”
“Do you benefit?”
“Indirectly through family trust.”
Ava leaned back.
“Then disclose.”
“I have.”
“To Claire?”
He hesitated.
Ava’s eyes narrowed.
“James.”
“I told her we had advisory relationship.”
“Seven-point-eight million?”
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because wedding just happened.”
“Because she’s rebuilding relationship with father.”
“Because I didn’t want it to look like…”
“Like what?”
He looked at her.
“Like I married into a client.”
Ava’s face changed.
“Did you?”
“No.”
“Then tell her.”
He rubbed hands.
“I love Claire.”
“I know.”
“You believe?”
“Yes.”
“Then why does it sound like accusation?”
“Because loving Claire doesn’t erase conflict.”
James sighed.
“You always did this.”
“What?”
“Turn everything into ethical geometry.”
Ava almost smiled.
“And you always called transparency overreaction.”
“That’s why we didn’t work.”
“One reason.”
Silence.
James looked through window.
“Do you regret us?”
Ava stiffened.
“This conversation is done.”
“No.”
“I’m not asking because I want you back.”
“That question has no appropriate answer now.”
“You’re right.”
He looked ashamed.
“I’m sorry.”
Ava stood.
Before leaving she said:
“Tell Claire about fees today.”
“Not because Bennett review.”
“Because she deserves not to learn from someone else.”
James nodded.
That evening Claire called Ava.
“You knew.”
“Yes.”
“And you made him tell me.”
“Yes.”
Claire sounded tired.
“Thank you.”
“Are you okay?”
“I’m angry.”
“At James?”
“At Dad.”
“At James.”
“At myself for marrying into business web I don’t understand.”
Ava said:
“Marriage isn’t merger.”
“In this family it might be.”
Claire laughed bitterly.
Then:
“Are you reviewing Dad?”
“Yes.”
“Do whatever you need.”
“Claire—”
“I mean it.”
“Do not protect him because of me.”
That sentence proved Claire’s recovery had given her something addiction once stole.
May you like
Agency.
Ava respected it.
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