Matt's father, Cal, is a powerful billionaire and the head of Hartley Enterprises. He is known throughout the world and is courted by world leaders, as well as by anyone else who is in need of money. When Meade Publications hit hard times, after Conner ran off with millions of the company's dollars, Daniel was able to persuade Cal to give the company a cash infusion. Although he claimed that he would be a silent partner, it was soon clear that Cal would be pulling some strings whenever he felt strongly about any business matters.Cal is one of the few people that doesn't fear or feels threatened by Wilhemina's prescence at MODE and sees her as a possible asset. After Cal reacted badly to Claire's revelation that he was Tyler's father, she coerced him into leaving the company.