Chapter 2
I stared at Arthur.
"What company?"
He looked at Devon.
"The company Malik helped build."
My stomach tightened.
Devon immediately stepped forward.
"Mr. Carter, you don't know what you're talking about."
Arthur didn't move.
"Then explain why you submitted Malik's name on a business introduction form."
I felt cold.
Nia looked confused.
"What introduction form?"
Devon laughed nervously.
"Arthur, this is a ridiculous misunderstanding."
I took a slow breath.
"Devon."
He looked at me.
"Which company?"
His eyes shifted toward Nia.
That was all I needed.
"Brooks Strategic Capital?" I asked.
He swallowed.
I continued.
"Was it Harrington Systems?"
His face changed.
Then I knew.
It was Harrington.
I had spent six years helping build that company.
Not as a rich investor.
Not as a public celebrity.
As an engineer.
I helped develop industrial safety software used by hospitals, warehouses, and transportation companies.
I'd started with two friends in a rented garage.
We worked nights.
Ate cheap noodles.
And slept beside computers whenever deadlines approached.
Three years earlier, Harrington Systems began growing.
I became its chief technology officer and one of its largest founding shareholders.
But I kept my personal life private.
Nia knew I worked in engineering.
She knew the company was doing well.
She didn't know how much ownership I held.
I had never felt the need to advertise it.
Now Devon was apparently using my connection to gain access.
I looked at Arthur.
"How did you find out?"
He reached into his jacket.
Then removed his phone.
"A former colleague sent me an email."
Arthur was a retired corporate attorney.
He'd spent decades reviewing contracts and advising businesses.
He knew people throughout Atlanta.
He showed me the message.
A meeting request.
A proposed partnership.
And a line identifying Devon Brooks as the representative of a private investor group.
Beneath that was a statement.
"Introduced through Malik Johnson, founding executive of Harrington Systems."
I stared at it.
My name.
My company.
My reputation.
I looked at Devon.
"I never introduced you."
He folded his arms.
"Your girlfriend did."
My stomach dropped.
I turned toward Nia.
She looked uncomfortable.
"Malik, I thought it was harmless."
I stared at her.
"What was harmless?"
She swallowed.
"Devon asked whether I knew anybody at Harrington."
I waited.
She continued.
"I mentioned you."
I felt anger rise.
"And?"
"He said it could help him get a meeting."
I looked at her.
"Did you tell him he could use my name?"
She looked down.
"I didn't think you'd mind."
I almost laughed.
Five years together.
And she still didn't understand something basic.
My professional relationships weren't hers to distribute.
I had spent years earning people's trust.
One careless claim could damage that.
Devon stepped closer.
"Look, man, it wasn't a big deal."
I faced him.
"Don't call me that."
He smirked.
"You're taking this personally."
I stared at him.
"You used my name without permission."
He shrugged.
"I was trying to create an opportunity."
Arthur stepped forward.
"By implying an endorsement that didn't exist."
Devon's smile disappeared.
Nia looked at her father.
"Dad, you're embarrassing me."
Arthur slowly turned.
"Nia, your boyfriend is standing here explaining why he used another man's reputation to open doors."
She crossed her arms.
"He has ambition."
Arthur's face hardened.
"Ambition without honesty is dangerous."
I closed my eyes.
For a moment, the courtyard noise seemed distant.
Students celebrated around us.
Families hugged.
Photographers shouted instructions.
And I stood holding a diamond ring I would never give away.
I looked at Nia.
"Did you know Devon was using my name before today?"
She hesitated.
Then nodded.
"Yes."
My heart broke again.
"Did you ever think to ask me?"
She looked annoyed.
"Malik, it's just business."
I shook my head.
"No."
My voice cracked.
"It's trust."
She stared at me.
I continued.
"You lied about Devon. You let him use my name. And you waited until I proposed to tell me you were leaving."
Tears filled my eyes.
"What part of that is love?"
For once, she had no answer.
Arthur placed a hand on my shoulder.
"Come on, son."
I nodded.
Then turned toward the parking lot.
I heard Nia call my name.
I kept walking.
My roses felt heavier with every step.
When we reached my truck, Arthur stopped.
He looked exhausted.
"Malik, I'm sorry."
I shook my head.
"You didn't do this."
He sighed.
"I should've warned you."
I frowned.
"Warned me about what?"
Arthur looked away.
"Devon approached me last month."
My stomach tightened.
"Why?"
"He wanted information about Harrington."
I stared at him.
"What information?"
"Your ownership. Your role. Whether you could influence outside investment decisions."
I felt cold.
Arthur continued.
"I told him I wouldn't discuss your affairs."
I swallowed.
"Did Nia know?"
He nodded slowly.
"She introduced us."
I closed my eyes.
The woman I'd loved had been offering pieces of my life to another man.
Arthur spoke gently.
"There's something else I need to tell you."
I looked up.
He hesitated.
"Your tuition payments were not as anonymous as you believed."
My stomach tightened.
"What?"
He took a breath.
"Nia found out last winter."
For a moment, I couldn't breathe.
"She knew?"
Arthur looked devastated.
"She found a letter from the scholarship administrator. I asked her not to confront you until I understood why you'd kept it private."
I stared at him.
"Did she know it was me?"
He nodded.
"Yes."
I felt the ring box digging into my palm.
Nia had known I paid her tuition.
She had known for months.
And she'd still mocked me for not being able to give her a future.
I looked toward the courtyard.
She was standing beside Devon.
He was whispering into her ear.
Then she pulled out her phone.
And I saw her expression change.
She looked frightened.
Arthur followed my gaze.
"What happened?"
My own phone vibrated.
A message from Harrington's legal director appeared.
"Malik, we have a serious problem. Someone has submitted confidential company documents through Devon Brooks's investor group."
I stared at the screen.
May you like
Because now I knew Devon hadn't simply wanted a meeting.
Someone had given him information he should never have possessed.
