Page 91 of Falling For You

Martin was the oldest and most powerful investor on the boardanddidn’t take kindly to setbacks.

But this was more than a setback.

The deal was dead.

“You’ve single-handedly jeopardized everything we’ve worked for by breaking the NDA. Do you have any idea what this could cost us?” he seethed. “And the local news picked it up? Come on. All because you couldn’t keep your mouth shut.”

I couldn’t help but smile. It was a good thing we weren’t on a video call. This entire ordeal happened so quicklythatthey didn’t even know how to throw one together, and I could hide my true feelings.

But the truth was that I didn’t care anymore.

For the first time in my adult life, I felt a strange relief rest over me. A weight I’d been carrying for years had finally lifted, and I never even knew it was there.

“I understand, Martin,” I said calmly.

I leaned back in my chair, stretching my legs.

I knew I was walking a tightrope, but all I had to do was picture Violet standing in front of the crowd—her friends, family, and neighbors rallying behind her—fighting to save the town and her family’s lodge.

She had done it.

And I couldn’t help it. The thought made me smile.

I also noticed she’d been posting daily since we talked last week, and her blog was slowly climbing in viewership and ranking.

Against all odds, she had accomplished the impossible. Her strength and determination inspired many people to stand up for what they believed in.

And even me.

“You understand?” another voice chimed in. This one was far harsher and colder. Tom, another of the major investors, nearly growled himself into a roar. “Do you understand how much money you’ve cost us? You’re lucky we haven’t slapped a lawsuit on you yet. You broke the nondisclosure agreement, Owen. You gave them information that sabotaged our entire deal. Vern’s reconsidering because of you! You’re finished if you don’t talk him into signing.”

The words should have stung. I’d spent my entire career building relationships with these men, creating and sharing wealth with them.

I should have felt the icy grip of fear creep into my chest the way it had whenever I worried a deal had gone wrong.

But not this time.

The possibility of losing everything I had built loomed large—but it didn’t matter.

I'd had enough.

They couldn’t take everything. I had too much.

The thought made me smile.

Besides, knowing that Buttercup Lakeand the people I’d come to care about would keep what was theirs was enough.

I couldn’t help but chuckle. This wasn’t about money anymore. It hadn’t been for a while.

“Do you find this funny?” Martin asked.

“A little. If you remember, my money was spent this last year. Not yours,” I reminded them.

“Time is money.” Tom sighed.

“I realize I violated the NDA,” I said in ameasured tone. “And I’m prepared to face the consequences. But I stand by what I did. Vern wasn’t comfortable with the sale. He felt pressured, and I only gave him the information he needed to make an informed decision.”

“You spoke with Vern?” Martin’s anger would have shattered glass if he were near. “I just thought you told the girl.”

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