Chapter 14 - THE LAST FAVOR HE ASKED FROM HIS MOTHER
Fenwick Rowe held the meeting in a plain conference room overlooking a parking lot in Wellesley.
Megan attended remotely with her attorney. Linda and Paige sat together at one end of the table. Ryan sat beside his lawyer at the other.
A compliance officer explained that the meeting was not a criminal hearing. The firm was deciding employment consequences and whether it had regulatory reporting obligations.
Ryan was given one final opportunity to correct his written statement.
He admitted Harbor Ridge had not been disclosed to Fenwick Rowe.
He admitted using office resources.
He admitted taking Linda’s money.
But he maintained that Megan knew the funds supported their wedding and that Linda voluntarily approved the investment.
The compliance officer asked about the staged condo damage.
Ryan’s attorney requested a break.
During the break, Ryan followed Linda into the hallway.
Megan could see them through the conference camera but could not hear. Paige later described the conversation.
Ryan told Linda that one sentence could preserve his license.
Say the bucket spilled.
Say the mud came from the rain.
Say Megan became angry and misunderstood the purpose of the valuation.
Linda asked whether he had ever intended to repay her without borrowing against Megan’s condo.
Ryan said the Worcester project might still recover.
That was not an answer.
He reached for his mother’s hand.
“Please. Just this once.”
Linda looked down at their hands.
“How many times did you call it once?”
Ryan released her.
When the meeting resumed, Linda corrected the record.
She explained how Ryan instructed her to damage the floor, place clothing in the guest room, and display utility bills bearing Megan’s address. She admitted she participated because she believed Megan had already used her money and approved the plan.
Then she said she had never spoken to Megan about an investment, renovation, loan, or residency arrangement before the slap.
Ryan interrupted.
His lawyer told him to stop.
Linda continued.
Megan watched the man she had planned to marry realize that neither woman would carry his version anymore.
The compliance officer closed her notebook and said Fenwick Rowe would issue its decision after reviewing the final statements.
Ryan turned toward the screen.
“Megan, don’t let them do this.”
She looked at the warped strip of flooring visible behind her chair.
“You did it. We’re just done hiding where it happened.”
The compliance officer ended the meeting.
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By then, the lender referral had already been submitted.
The exposure could no longer be withdrawn.
