A flicker of something crosses Caroline’s face—not sympathy, more like recalibration. “I see. How unfortunate. And you were raised by your father alone?”
“With a lot of help from my brothers. They’re good men.”
“I’m sure they are.” She sips her wine. “It must have been quite an adjustment, coming from that background into Logan’s world. The galas, the expectations, the social obligations.”
“We haven’t attended any galas.”
“Not yet. But if this relationship continues, you’ll find that being with a Whitman comes with certain... requirements.” She smiles, thin and sharp. “I do hope you’re up to the challenge.”
“Mother.” Logan’s voice is tight. “Audrey isn’t here to be interviewed.”
“I’m simply making conversation, darling. Getting to know the woman who’s captured your attention.” She turns back to me. “Tell me, Audrey, what exactly is it you do? Logan mentioned something about brain surgery?”
“Neural implant technology. We’re developing a device that can help patients with treatment-resistant epilepsy.”
“How noble.” The word somehow sounds like an insult. “And is there money in that? Or is it more of a... philanthropic endeavor?”
“The technology has significant commercial potential, but that’s not why we’re doing it. The primary goal is helping patients.”
“Idealistic.” Edmund speaks for the first time, his voice mild. “That’s refreshing. Most of the scientists Logan works with are far more interested in their stock options.”
“Dad—” Logan starts.
“It’s not a criticism. Simply an observation.” Edmund cuts into his lamb with surgical precision. “Idealism is charming in the young. It’s only a problem when it interferes with practical considerations.”
“Such as?”
“Such as understanding one’s place in the larger picture.” He looks up, meeting my eyes. “You’re an intelligent woman,Audrey. Surely you’ve noticed that you and Logan come from very different worlds.”
“I’ve noticed that we work well together.”
“In the lab, perhaps. But relationships require more than professional compatibility.” He takes a sip of wine. “Forgive me for being blunt, but I have to wonder what you see in my son. Beyond the obvious, of course.”
The implication is clear. Heat rises to my cheeks, but I keep my voice steady. “I see a brilliant man with more integrity than anyone I’ve ever met. Someone who works harder than he has to, cares more than he shows, and treats people with kindness even when they don’t deserve it.”
“How touching.” Edmund’s smile doesn’t reach his eyes. “And the money? That’s not a factor?”
“Father.” Logan’s voice is sharp now, edged with warning. “That’s enough.”
“I’m simply asking the question everyone else is thinking. She wouldn’t be the first woman to see dollar signs when she looks at you.”
“Audrey isn’t like that.”
“How do you know?” Caroline chimes in, her tone light and poisonous. “You’ve hardly been discerning in the past. Remember that incident with the intern at your company? The one who sold stories to the press?”
“That was seven years ago, and she wasn’t my girlfriend.”
“Not that we’d know. You’ve never introduced us to any of your friends.”
“You’ve met Dominic.”
Edmund actually wrinkles his nose at the mention of his name. “Yes. Another of your charity cases. I dare say that man wouldn’t be half of what he is today if it weren’t for your generosity, Logan. Not every friendship needs to be a research project. Nor, for that matter, does every relationship.Sometimes,” he says, turning his gaze on me, “it’s enough to choose someone of your own class.”
My hand clenches on the stem of my wineglass so hard I’m surprised it doesn’t snap.
Logan doesn’t even blink. “Audrey’s class,” he says, “is intellect. Try to keep up.”
There’s a beat of silence, sharp and terrible. Caroline’s mouth twitches, as if she’s disappointed the conversation isn’t more of a massacre.
