A chill ran through Hereford, but he managed to keep his voice steady. “What sort of discoveries?”
She turned to face him, her expression hardening. “That you own them, Charles. Or at least, you’ve acquired interests in them over the past year.”
The unspoken accusation hung in the air between them. Hereford had known this conversation might come eventually, but he’d hoped to have more time.
“I can explain,” he began.
“Please do,” she said, folding her arms across her chest. “Explain how my husband has secretly been acquiring factories known for their appalling safety conditions and worker mistreatment.”
“It’s not what you think, Amelia.”
“No? Do you admit you’ve been deliberately concealing these investments from me?”
Hereford ran a hand through his hair. “Yes, I admit it. But I haven’t acquired these factories for profit.”
“Then why?”
“For leverage,” he said, meeting her gaze directly. “To force through reforms from the inside. Sometimes the only way to change a system is to control it.”
“Then why the secrecy, Charles? Why not tell me what you were doing?”
“Because I knew how it would appear. I knew you would doubt my motives, just as you’re doing now.”
“How did you expect me to react?” Her voice rose with indignation. “You’ve been warning me against Norwich while secretly owning the very factories you claim to oppose. These shares have been yours for a year, yet their safety records show only marginal improvement.”
“Meaningful change requires both time and money, Amelia.” His tone held forced patience. “I’m dealing with several major shareholders who resist every reform. I’ve been working to persuade them gradually—push too hard, too fast, and they’ll dig in their heels out of spite.”
Silence stretched between them, thick with tension, before Hereford finally asked, “How did you discover this? These ownership structures are deliberately obscured.”
“Lord Norwich directed my attention to these particular factories,” she said coolly.
Hereford’s jaw tightened. “Of course he did. During your meeting at theReviewlast week.”
“Yes. He’s been providing documentation about safety violations at various operations. It was only when I verified ownership that your connection emerged.”
“Don’t you see what he’s doing?” Hereford moved closer, urgency bleeding into his voice. “He deliberately led you to my holdings. This wasn’t coincidence—it was calculated manipulation.”
“Perhaps,” she conceded, though her voice remained tight with suspicion. “But his manipulation doesn’t prove your innocence.”
Hereford drew a sharp breath, visibly struggling to contain his frustration. “I know how this appears, but surely you realize I would never sacrifice workers’ lives for profit.”
“Your explanations always seem so convenient,” she observed with cutting coolness.
“How dare you!” The words exploded from him before he could stop them.
Amelia’s eyes blazed. “How dare I? Yes, I dare! A factory girl daresto question her husband’s business dealings when workers are losing limbs at his factories—factories he never bothered to mention!”
“Don’t diminish everything we’ve built on one unproven assumption!” His voice cracked with genuine anguish. “Is our marriage worth so little that you’d discard it at the first doubt?”
Her voice turned arctic. “I’m prepared to sever ties with anyone who betrays my trust.”
“I haven’t betrayed you—I was trying to protect what we have!” Hereford’s composure shattered completely. “Norwich has been poisoning you against me from the beginning, and you’re letting him succeed!”
She exhaled slowly, as if summoning patience for a petulant child. “I base my judgments on actions, not suspicions. Your actions, not his.”
“Then let me give you evidence,” Hereford said, his voice dropping to barely controlled intensity. “Norwich was the sole owner of Crown Street Textiles when you were injured there, and he still is.”
The color drained from Amelia’s face. For a moment, she seemed unable to speak. “What?”
