“However, Ms. Mefferd, I enjoy working for the Knight family. They are the kindest, most generous, genuine people I know. I’m so glad I never took the job with their competitor. To think, I almost worked for Rave. That is all I can tell you.”

As I sat there, I was trying to understand why she told me about a job she didn’t take, when it dawned on me that she was giving me a not-so-subtle hint. “Mrs. Ward, thank you so much for your time, and may I say the Knight’s are very lucky to have you.” With that, I walked out feeling hopeful.

The first thing I saw on my desk was a sandwich, a heart shaped Rice Krispie treat, and a bottle of water. My heart burst with elation. There was no one in the office to ask who had brought it. Perhaps Max had cut short his meeting with his lawyer and he decided to stop by? Picking up the phone, I dialed Max’s office. It went straight to his secretary.

“Yes, Ms. Mefferd. How can I help you?”

“Is Mr. Knight in his office?”

“I’m sorry, but his plans haven’t changed. Could I help you with anything?”

“No. It’s just that someone left a lunch for me and I thought it was Mr. Knight.”

“I’m so sorry, Ms. Mefferd. It was on Mr. Knight’s schedule. I am to bring you lunch any time your meetings surpass your lunch hour. He knows your schedule better than he knows his own,” she chuckled. “I have to remind him to attend meetings, but he seems to know whenever your meetings are set.”

“Thank you,” I said warily. It was all I could say.

“Not a problem. The pleasure is mine. Anything I can do to make Mr. Knight happy.”

After we hung up, tears blurred my vision. Max’s kindness was not only shown through the testimony of his employees, but through his actions, time and time again. I needed to make this right.

Looking at my lunch, I lost my appetite yet again. This was something that had been happening a lot this past week. Thinking of Max not only made me happy, but it saddened me as well. Placing the wrapped Rice Krispie treat into my purse, I heard a low hum sound from my phone. It was another call from Luke, definitely not the person I wanted to hear from. I made a mental note to ask Matthew for a new number after the Crystal situation was over, since the company now provided my cell phone.

Letting out an irritated huff, I ignored the call, deciding it was the best thing to do. When I placed my phone back into its slot in my purse, I spotted Ethan’s business card. I recalled he mentioned he had worked for Rave before. Perhaps he would have some insight. It was a slim chance, but I needed to try.

33

IF I HAD GOTTEN to pick the restaurant, this would not have been the place. It was one of Luke’s favorite spots, and that alone made me uneasy. Glancing around, I finally found Ethan, and prayed Luke would be nowhere in sight.

“Thank you for meeting me, Ethan,” I said, sitting across from him. He wore a gray suit and a pinstriped shirt opened at the collar. Most likely, he’d already ditched the tie. Holding a cocktail, he slid one of the menus toward me.

“It sounded urgent. What’s going on? Is everything okay?”

“Yes…well, no. I need to ask you few questions and please don’t ask why.”

“O-kay.” He dragged out the word, looking reluctant.

“Why did you leave your position at Rave?”

“Jenna, this is kind of private. Where are you going with this?”

Instead of answering his question, I fired another. “How did you know I was dating Maxwell Knight?”

“I read it in the newspaper. I didn’t know it was you, for sure. I recognized the name, and I knew about the lawsuit.”

Satisfied with his answer, I asked another question. “There’s a rumor that Crystal, the woman that is suing Max, worked at Rave and that she did the same thing to one of the managers over there. Do you know anything about that?” I wasn’t sure of the manager part; I was assuming. Whatever I said got his full attention. His face went pale, and at that very moment, I was sure he knew what I was talking about.

“That’s ridiculous. It’s just a rumor. Who told you that?” he tittered nervously, trying to dismiss it, but I knew better. His eyes gave him away.

“Ethan.” I leaned in closer. “The man I love is about to have his name, and the company his family has worked so hard to build from nothing, get smeared through the mud. All because of a selfish, devil of a woman, who thinks she can get away with it by manipulating, deceiving, and lying. She will rip him to shreds in court and none of what she says will be true. In the meantime, I will be thinking about the person that could have prevented this misery. I believe there is good in most people. People with morals, who will step up, even if it means that person may lose face, just because it is the right thing to do. So let me ask you the question again. Do you know if Crystal did this to anyone at Rave?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” His tone was dead. Whatever he knew, I could tell he wasn’t going to budge.

“I’m sorry, Ethan. I didn’t mean to drag you out here and then grill you with questions. It’s just that I don’t know what else to do.”

“I’m sure Max has a top-notch lawyer and he’ll make sure she doesn’t get a dime.”

“That’s what everyone thinks, but no amount of money is going to stop her. She was offered a big payoff, but she didn’t take it. You know what sucks? It’s her word against his. Unless we find solid evidence to discredit her, she’ll win.”