MY WAY TO THE BILLIONAIRE'S HEART.

Chapter16

"Because we're still selling under the Langston name," Maeve shot back. "Because every product carries our reputation. And because if we don't fix this proactively, the lawsuits will cost us ten times what this recall would."

That got their attention. Money talked when morality didn't.

"The Takahashi merger," Maeve continued, "depends on us demonstrating commitment to quality and safety. Right now, Jade Kensington is on every news channel claiming we're covering up dangerous products. We can either prove her wrong with decisive action, or we can look like we're doing the bare minimum. Which do you think inspires confidence in our Japanese partners?"

Sterling frowned. "The merger is already negotiated…"

"Contracts aren't signed," Carter interjected suddenly. "And Hiroshi Tanaka has expressed concerns about our safety protocols. A mandatory recall would demonstrate good faith." His eyes met Maeve's across the table, and something passed between them. "I support Miss Wells's proposal."

The board members exchanged glances. If Carter was backing this, they couldn't easily dismiss it.

"What about the cost?" one of the women asked, Monica Chen, CFO. "Fifty-three million is substantial. Where do we find that in this quarter's budget?"

"We defer the executive bonus structure," Maeve said immediately. "Including Carter's. And mine."

Shocked silence.

Carter's eyebrow raised slightly, but he didn't contradict her.

"You're suggesting we forfeit our bonuses?" Sterling looked genuinely appalled.

"I'm suggesting that if we're asking shareholders to absorb a costly recall, executive leadership should share the sacrifice. It's not just good optics, it's basic fairness."

Monica Chen smiled slightly, the first sign of approval Maeve had seen. "I like it. Shows we're serious about accountability."

The debate continued for another hour, but Maeve could feel the tide turning. By the time the vote came, it passed, ten to four in favor of the mandatory recall.

Maeve had won.

As the board filed out, Sterling paused by her chair. "You made powerful enemies today, Miss Wells. I hope you're prepared for the consequences."

"I'm prepared to sleep at night, Mr. Sterling. Can you say the same?"

He walked away without responding.

Carter remained seated until they were alone. Then he stood, walked to the window overlooking Los Angeles, his back to her.

"That was reckless," he said quietly.

"That was necessary."

"You made me look weak. Like I can't control my own fiancée."

"Maybe you can't." Maeve stood too, exhaustion crashing over her. "Is that what bothers you? That I won't just obey?"

Carter turned, and the expression on his face was complicated, frustration, admiration, something darker. "What bothers me is that you're right. About all of it. And I should have done this months ago, but I was too focused on protecting the stock price, the merger, the legacy. You've been here five days and you're already a better leader than I've been in six months."

The admission seemed to cost him something.

"Carter…"

"Don't." He held up a hand. "Don't tell me it's okay or that I'm being too hard on myself. I've made decisions that prioritized money over safety, and people have been hurt. That's on me. So you won your recall, and I'll support it publicly, but don't ask me to feel good about the fact that my twenty-six-year-old fiancée has more integrity than I do."

He started to leave, and Maeve found herself reaching for his arm. "Hey. You hired me for this. You gave me the power to make changes. That counts for something."

"Does it?" His voice was bitter. "Or did I just use you as a shield? Put you in this position so that when hard choices needed to be made, you'd take the heat instead of me?"

The question hung between them, ugly and possibly true.

"I don't know," Maeve admitted. "But I'm here now. So we can either spend time debating your motives, or we can actually fix the problem together."

Carter studied her face for a long moment. "You're supposed to hate me by now. Everyone else does eventually."

"I don't hate you. I don't trust you, but I don't hate you."

"That's almost worse." He pulled away gently. "I have calls to make. Damage control. Your mandatory recall just tanked our stock price by eight percent. The board

will want my head."

"I'm sorry…"

"Don't be. They'll recover. And you were right, we needed this." He paused at the door. "Cameron's having a family dinner tonight. He invited you. You should go."

"Will you be there?"

"No. I have meetings." But something in his voice suggested that wasn't the only reason. "Go. Let him play the supportive cousin. God knows you could use someone kind after dealing with me all day."

Then he was gone, and Maeve was left wondering if she'd just helped Carter Langston find his conscience, or if this was all part of some deeper manipulation she couldn't see yet.

Cameron's apartment was warm and lived-in, the complete opposite of Carter's sterile penthouse. Exposed brick, mismatched furniture, photos everywhere, family, friends, a golden retriever that bounded up to Maeve the moment she walked in.

"Maeve! You came!" Cameron hugged her, and the casual affection felt like water after days in the desert. "This is Murphy. He's friendlier than most of my family, so you'll like him better."

Maeve bent down to pet the dog, letting his enthusiasm wash over her. "He's perfect."

"Unlike his owner," a woman's voice said from the kitchen. "Cameron, your pasta's burning."

Cameron swore, rushing back to the stove. The woman who emerged was striking, mid-fifties, with Cameron's warm eyes and an elegant silver streak in her dark hair.

"You must be Maeve," the woman said, offering her hand. "I'm Linda Langston. Cameron's mother, Carter's aunt. Welcome to the functional side of the family."

Her grip was firm, assessing. Maeve liked her immediately.

"Thank you for having me."

"Thank me after you've survived dinner. Cameron can't cook, but he insists on trying." Linda guided Maeve to the couch. "I saw your board meeting today. Monica Chen is an old friend, she called me right after. Said you made Sterling turn purple with rage. That alone makes you my hero."

Maeve laughed, surprised. "I wasn't trying to

make enemies.

The best kind of enemies are the ones you make by doing the right thing." Linda poured two glasses of wine. "My nephew is a complicated man. Brilliant, ruthless, deeply damaged. His father was…" she paused, choosing words carefully, "...a difficult person to live up to. And an even more difficult person to rebel against."

"You don't like Carter?"

"I love Carter. I don't always like him. There's a difference." Linda sipped her wine. "When he was young, before Reginald got his claws in him, Carter was sweet. Kind, even. He wanted to be a teacher, believe it or not. Fourth grade. He had this whole plan to work in underprivileged schools, make a difference. Then Reginald sat him down on his sixteenth birthday and told him that kindness was weakness, that the only thing that mattered in this world was power. And Carter…" her expression turned sad, "...Carter believed him."

Maeve's chest tightened. "That's horrible."

"That's the Langston legacy. My husband, Carter's uncle David, died trying to escape it. Heart attack at forty-seven, brought on by stress from working at the company. Reginald drove him into the ground, and Carter watched it happen. That's why he's so controlled now. So ruthless. He's terrified that if he shows any softness, any vulnerability, he'll end up like David. Dead and forgotten."

"Why are you telling me this?"