Cassie’s gaze shot back to Jack, but he was staring at the large screen behind his brother. She nudged his leg under the table and sent him a questioning frown.
Jack pointed to the data show and held his finger to his lips.
She looked at Patrick, but his attention was also focused on the pictures flashing across the screen.
When she could, she’d ask Noah what Jack had meant. But for now, she’d sit back, enjoy the photos, and pray she didn’t make a mess of her speech.
Near the end of her speech, Cassie looked up and smiled at the audience. More than two hundred people were staring back at her, still shocked, she imagined, from hearing her name announced as the winner of the Wilson Award.
For the first time since she’d stepped into the Rainbow Room, Cassie wasn’t worried about anyone knowing about her father. C. J. Davis was a mystery to almost everyone here and, as long as she had anything to say about it, that’s the way it would stay.
“And finally,” she said to the audience, “I would like to thank my family and friends for their support. Without them, I wouldn’t be standing here today.”
As she stepped away from the microphone, Cassie shook Noah’s hand. She smiled when the photographer took a picture of them and acknowledged the clapping audience with a nod of her head.
Her smile became more forced when she thought about her dad. She would have loved to have him here tonight, but he didn’t want to come. Too many people knew him and he didn’t want to spoil her night.
“You’re doing great,” Noah whispered from beside her. “Once the photographer has finished, you can enjoy the rest of the evening.”
Cassie moved the heavy trophy to her other arm. She didn’t know if she would have described tonight as enjoyable. Being the center of attention had never come easily to her. If she had a choice, she would have preferred to be in Sapphire Bay, working on her next project.
After Noah thanked everyone for coming and announced dessert was ready to be served, he escorted Cassie back to her chair.
Jack shook her hand. “Congratulations. Your jewelry is beautiful.”
Noah’s granddad opened his arms and hugged her. “Well done. I’m looking forward to seeing your new designs.”
She glanced across the table as Noah sat down. “I thought you would have seen the sketches of my new collection.”
“I’m not as involved in the company as I used to be. Noah and Jack keep telling me I should retire, but even thinking about it gives me nightmares. I wouldn’t know what to do with myself.”
“Dad has a few years to go before he retires, but it’s been on his mind, too. It isn’t easy making such a big change in your life.”
Patrick studied her face. “I think you understand better than most how it feels. Moving to Sapphire Bay couldn’t have been an easy decision to make.”
She carefully thought about her answer. “It wasn’t. Dad and I are incredibly close, but I needed a fresh start.”
“It happens to most of us at some point. Your dad must be proud of you.”
Cassie nodded. “He was sorry he couldn’t be here tonight.” Regardless of what Patrick might have been told, she wanted him to know her dad was a good man. “My dad is a jeweler, too. When I was little, he made me a set of tools I could use in his workshop. He didn’t mind if I made a mess or wasted some of the materials. All he cared about was allowing me to be creative and find my own feet in the world.”
“You were fortunate. A lot of children don’t get the same opportunity.” Patrick looked at each of his grandsons. “Before Noah and Jack’s parents died, we spent a lot of time on Shelter Island. Their mom and dad took them to the beach each morning. They spent hours making sandcastles. When it was too hot to be outside, their grandma and I took them to Peggy Anne’s Ice Cream Shop. Staying at the cottage gave everyone a chance to be themselves and enjoy each other’s company.”
After what happened to Noah’s parents, those memories must be even more special. “Noah told me about Shelter Island. Do you still go there?”
“I haven’t been back in years. Noah is talking about returning for Christmas, but I don’t know if it will happen.” He leaned sideways as a waiter placed his dessert in front of him. “I wasn’t the best grandfather in the world. After Noah’s parents died, I spent most of my time at work. Mary, my wife, was their rock.”
She looked into Patrick’s sad face. “Everyone handles grief differently. Sometimes, the hardest part is learning how to let go.”
One of the finalists sitting at their table tapped a spoon against a crystal glass. “I’d like to propose a toast. To C.J. Davis. Congratulations on winning the award. May you have a long and successful career.”
As everyone around the table raised their glass, Cassie forced a smile. After tonight, she would slip into the background, create beautiful jewelry, and make her dad even more proud.
“Excuse me.”
Cassie’s shoulders slumped forward. She was hoping to leave the ballroom unnoticed, but everyone wanted to talk to her.
A woman who had been sitting at the table opposite hers, smiled. “Hi. I’m Amanda. Congratulations on winning the Wilson Award.”
“Thank you. It was a big surprise.” Cassie kept walking toward the terrace.
“I was wondering if I could ask you some questions about being a jeweler.”
Cassie looked longingly through Bar SixtyFive and onto the large terrace. She’d told Noah’s granddad she was going to the bathroom, but all she wanted was a few minutes alone.
Most of the people at the award ceremony wanted to know everything about her. It didn’t matter what she said, she was constantly on edge, worried she’d say something she might regret.
She glanced at her watch, hoping Amanda took the hint. “I was going outside to make a phone call. I could meet you back at your table in ten minutes?”
Amanda didn’t move. “I spoke to someone who knows your dad. Did his trial have anything to do with your decision to enter the award?”
Cassie’s heart pounded. Her worst nightmare was coming true and there wasn’t a thing she could do about it. “I don’t know what you mean.”
Amanda’s eyes narrowed. “Your legal name is Cassie Harper. Your father was accused of stealing a design from Emanuel Ricardo’s new collection. Did you enter the award to prove your jewelry is as good as those of the other designers? Or did you want people to know you don’t hold a grudge against Wilson Enterprises?”
Cassie was genuinely confused. “My father didn’t steal anyone’s designs. And as for Wilson Enterprises, I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“The person who accused your father of stealing his designs was working for Wilson Enterprises. Doesn’t that worry you?”
Cassie’s head was spinning. Emanuel Ricardo was an independent designer. He created jewelry for high-end department stores in London as well as making individual pieces for private clients. “Emanuel worked with three companies. He was a contractor, not an employee.”
“I have a source close to Wilson Enterprises who told me Noah Devlin paid Emanuel’s legal expenses. Your new boss believed the design was stolen and he wanted to make an example of your father. What would you like to say to the people who thought your father was guilty?”
Cassie’s stomach churned. If what the woman said was true, Noah was no better than the people who had condemned her father before hearing the facts. She thought he was better than that, better than the shoddy reporting that almost broke her family.
“Noah wouldn’t have paid Emanuel’s legal fees,” Cassie choked out. “If he did, Emanuel would still be working for his company. As far as I’m aware, his contract was terminated after the trial.”
Amanda’s amused smile was even more upsetting than her questions. “Noah Devlin made a mistake. After the judgment against Emanuel was made public, Wilson Enterprises wanted nothing to do with him, and neither did anyone else.”
Cassie still didn’t believe her. But if the
re was the slightest chance she was right, how did she uncover the information?
“My source also told me that Noah Devlin is working through a crisis with his board of directors. After the bungled trial, they don’t have confidence in his ability to manage the company. How do you feel about being used to bolster his performance as chief executive?”
Cassie’s eyes widened. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. If you’ll excuse me, I need to—”
“I’ll be blunt. You’re the ideal girl-next-door. To most of the world, you’ll be seen as an overnight sensation. Noah is making the most of the story his PR team is spinning. While you’re boosting his image, profits will soar, and the board of directors won’t fire him.”
Noah wouldn’t use her to save his job. He had more integrity in his little finger than the woman asking her questions. “Who do you work for?”
Amanda pulled a business card out of her pocket. “The New York Times. You don’t realize what you’ve gotten into, do you?”
“You don’t care what I think. All you want is a scandalous angle for your story. Noah isn’t using me. You are.”
Amanda pulled a sheet of paper from her pocket. “This is an article that will appear in tomorrow’s edition of The New York Times.”
A photo of Cassie standing outside her jewelry store filled a third of the page. Willow had taken the photo for Noah before he’d left Sapphire Bay. It was only supposed to be used on the prestige website, not in a newspaper. Beside it was an article that talked about her life before she won the award and what working with Wilson Enterprises could do for her career. It made her sound like a rags-to-riches damsel in distress.
“I didn’t mention your father in this story, but he’ll be in the next one.” Amanda took a notebook out of her bag. “Tell me about Tony Harper.”
“I haven’t got anything to say to you.”
“And what about the chief executive of Wilson Enterprises? Will he keep his job?”
Cassie knew how easily words could be twisted. If she answered any of Amanda’s questions, it could make everything worse. So instead of giving the reporter what she wanted, Cassie took a deep breath and pulled back her shoulders. “If you have any questions involving Mr. Devlin, I’d suggest you ask him. Good night.” And with her head held high, she walked out of the ballroom.
Chapter 15
Noah looked across the table at his grandfather and frowned. He didn’t know where Cassie had gone, but he’d promised he wouldn’t leave her on her own.
For most of the night, she’d stayed at the table, talking to the guests who came to congratulate her. But fifteen minutes ago, she’d left and hadn’t returned.
“…and then the police were called. Well, you can imagine my surprise when a detective knocked on my front door.” Mrs. Parker, looking regal in her Cartier diamond and pearl necklace, was telling him about the latest drama in her apartment building. “The detective was so nice. He gave me his business card and told me to call him if I remember seeing anyone.”
“Mr. Devlin?” The maître d’ stood beside Noah. “I’m sorry to interrupt, but I have an urgent matter that needs your attention.”
Noah glanced across the table at his brother. Had he noticed his desperation to get away from Mrs. Parker or was there really something he needed to fix?
But Jack was busy talking to their grandfather, not watching Noah.
With an apologetic smile, he turned to Mrs. Parker. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
“No need to rush. I want to chat with your grandfather, anyway.”
As Noah followed the maître d’ out of The Rainbow Room, he almost felt sorry for his granddad. Mrs. Parker was a lovely lady, even if she was the most eccentric person he knew.
“This way, sir.” The maître d’ wove between the guests, heading toward the opposite side of the building.
Noah had been to the top of the Rockefeller Center before, so he knew where they were going. Bar SixtyFive was a popular venue for tourists and locals. Apart from an award-winning restaurant and bar, it overlooked some of the most famous landmarks of New York City.
They walked through the seating area and into a semi-enclosed terrace. Cassie stood down one end, staring across the Manhattan skyline.
“Ms. Harper would like to speak to you. If there is anything else you need, please don’t hesitate to ask.”
Noah nodded and studied the rigid line of Cassie’s body. Something had happened and it wasn’t good. Cautiously, he moved forward, not wanting to make matters worse by startling her. “Hi, Cassie. Is everything all right?”
She turned toward him and his heart sank. Her eyes looked red and swollen, as if she’d been crying for hours.
“Why didn’t you tell me about Emanuel Ricardo?”
For a brief moment, Noah’s mind went blank. Then he remembered who she was talking about. Deep, dark fear rose inside of him, making it hard to breathe. “The person who accused your father of copying his design?”
Cassie nodded.
The hurt expression on her face made him feel ashamed. If he could have traveled back in time, he would have told her everything when he first met her.
“Why didn’t you tell me he was working for you?”
“I didn’t know you were Tony Harper’s daughter until Jack completed your background check.”
“Your company believed Emanuel. You paid his legal fees.”
Noah ran his hand around the back of his neck. “We had no reason not to believe him. Emanuel worked with other high-profile companies. No one had a bad word to say about him.”
“You spread lies about my father.” Cassie’s voice shook. “You didn’t have any proof that copyright had been infringed, but you still went ahead with the trial. Your attorneys must have told you the chance of winning was low, but you didn’t care. All you wanted was to blame my dad for something he didn’t do.”
“It wasn’t as straightforward as that.”
“It should have been. Do you know how difficult it was for my family? My mom was struggling with her chemotherapy. Dad lost his job and no one wanted to employ him.”
“I’m sorry. I should have—”
“You should have listened to your attorneys.” Cassie wiped the tears off her face. “You could have stopped the case going to trial, but you didn’t. Your attorneys kept pushing and pushing until Dad had nothing left to give.”
Noah stepped toward her. “We had to go to court. There was more at stake than your father’s guilt or innocence. Regardless of whether we were right or wrong, we needed clarification on who owns the copyright on a design before it has been manufactured.”
Cassie’s mouth dropped open. “Do you know how terrible that sounds? You left my father penniless and ruined his career to prove a point. Is that all another person’s life means to you?”
“You know me better than that.” His voice shook as he tried to control the panic racing through him. He loved Cassie, but their relationship was falling apart and there was nothing he could do to stop it.
“I thought I knew you.” Cassie wrapped her arms around her waist. “Before we met, I didn’t want to accept your award. I thought your customers would boycott your company if they discovered I was Tony Harper’s daughter. I was willing to give up everything to protect my dad and your company.”
Noah wanted so badly to hold Cassie in his arms, to tell her he loved her and that everything would be okay. But right at this moment, that was the worst thing he could do. “You don’t need to protect anyone. My PR team will stop the media from making false accusations about you or your dad.”
“It’s too late.”
Noah’s heart pounded. “What do you mean?”
“The New York Times is publishing an article about Dad, the award, and Emanuel Ricardo. The reporter asked me questions about your company and how I feel about what happened.”
No wonder Cassie was upset. If the reporter was like the other journalists who had covered the story, she would have be
en ruthless. “When did you talk to her?”
“A few minutes ago. Her name is Amanda Cooke.” With a trembling hand, she gave him a business card. “Her contact details are on here.”
“Cassie—”
“She said the only reason you asked me to work for you was because the board of directors wants to fire you. Is that true?”
Noah swallowed the knot in his throat. “I wanted to rebrand our prestige store. The board of directors didn’t want to invest the amount of money it would take to reach a new audience. I wanted you and your jewelry to be the new face of Wilson Enterprises.”
“I told you I don’t like being the center of attention. I only let Willow take my photo because you wanted an up-to-date image for tonight.”
It broke his heart to see Cassie so upset. “I did what I had to do.”
Her jaw clenched tight. “What would have happened if I’d decided I didn’t want to work with you?”
“The money my company has invested in getting ready for the rebrand would be wasted.”
“And your contract as chief executive?”
“It wouldn’t be renewed.”
Cassie’s eyes widened. “So what the reporter said was true?”
“I wasn’t using you to keep my job. Not in the way you mean. I love you, Cassie. I wouldn’t do anything to hurt you.”
She took a deep breath and wiped her eyes. “I’m not sure you know what love is.” Her softly spoken words brought tears to his eyes. “I’m flying back to Montana tonight. I’ll take a taxi to your apartment and collect my suitcase. Before I go, I’ll leave the spare key on the kitchen counter.”
“Don’t go. We need to talk about what’s happened.”
Her bottom lip trembled. “I need time to think. I’ll work on your jewelry collection from Sapphire Bay.”
He held Cassie’s hand. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you about Emanuel.”
“So am I.” She pulled her hand away. “I’ll call you in a couple of weeks.”
The Sweetest Thing: Sapphire Bay, Book 5 Page 17
