YOU ALMOST MARRIED HER: THE MILLIONAIRE'S WIFE MOCKED HER—UNTIL THE MAFIA BOSS ARRIVED

Rowan called her accountant before they reached the city.

"Tell me exactly what happened."

Martin Keller had handled Pierce Catering's books for six years. He was cautious, methodical, and allergic to dramatic explanations.

"Someone filed an ownership amendment with the state," he said. "The submission claims that you transferred sixty percent of the company to a firm called Meridian Strategic Holdings."

"I've never heard of it."

"I know. That's why I contacted you immediately."

"Was the transfer approved?"

"The filing has been received, but we have not yet confirmed its legal status. We need to contact the state office and determine what supporting documents were submitted."

Rowan gripped her phone.

"Does it have my signature?"

"Yes."

"Is it real?"

"I can't authenticate it from the filing copy. I'll send you the document."

Callum pulled into a well-lit parking area and stopped the car.

"Don't make any changes to your company records until your attorney reviews the filing," he said.

Rowan covered the phone.

"I know that."

"I wasn't suggesting otherwise."

"You're doing the thing."

"What thing?"

"Giving orders when you're worried."

He considered that.

"Fair criticism."

She returned to the call and instructed Martin to preserve every email, document, and notification connected to the filing.

Then she contacted her business attorney.

Within an hour, she learned that the filing had been submitted electronically using information that appeared to have come from an old vendor application. The document included a signature that resembled hers but contained several unusual features.

Her attorney advised her to challenge the filing, notify the relevant authorities, and review the company's access permissions.

Rowan agreed.

She had built Pierce Catering too carefully to allow panic to dictate her decisions.

When the call ended, she sat silently for a moment.

"Meridian Strategic Holdings," she said. "Have you heard of it?"

Callum nodded.

"It appears in the records my team is reviewing."

"What does it do?"

"According to its filings, it provides investment and business restructuring services."

"And according to your investigation?"

"We're still establishing that."

She gave him a sharp look.

"You know more than you're telling me."

"I know that several companies connected to a proposed freight acquisition have made payments to Meridian. I also know that the ownership structure is unusually complicated."

"Is Grant connected to it?"

"His company appears in the transaction records. That doesn't establish whether he knew about the disputed filing."

Rowan leaned back.

"Someone tries to steal my company on the same night his wife humiliates me, and the company involved is connected to a business deal he wants you to approve."

"I understand why that looks suspicious."

"That's an elegant way of saying it's suspicious."

"Yes."

She looked at him.

"Do you think I should be worried?"

"Yes."

The direct answer frightened her.

Callum continued before she could respond.

"But being worried doesn't mean surrendering control. Your attorney can challenge the filing, your accountant can preserve the financial records, and we can determine whether the companies are connected through evidence rather than assumptions."

Rowan stared out the windshield.

For the first time since she had started her business, the problem was bigger than a late payment or a difficult client.

Someone had tried to take ownership of the thing she had spent eight years building.

Her company was not merely an income source.

It was proof that she had survived Grant.

It was the reason her employees trusted her.

It was the future she had created after the man she loved had abandoned her without explanation.

"I won't let them have it," she said.

Callum's voice softened.

"Then they won't get it without a fight."

She looked at him.

"I don't want a fight you arrange for me."

"Understood."

"I want the truth."

"Then that's what we'll pursue."

He drove her home and waited while she unlocked the front door.

Before leaving, he turned toward her.

"Rowan, there's something I should tell you."

She felt a sudden chill.

"What?"

"The shipping partnership Grant mentioned wasn't the only reason he wanted to meet me. Three weeks ago, someone approached one of my companies with a proposal to purchase information about my private operations."

"Who?"

"We haven't confirmed the buyer."

"And you think it might be Grant?"

"I think the timing deserves attention."

Rowan opened her mouth, but her phone rang.

It was Martin.

He sounded shaken.

"Rowan, I've just received the original filing packet. There's a second document attached."

"What is it?"

"A signed authorization allowing Meridian to access your company's bank accounts."

She closed her eyes.