“I should have—and would have—gotten it anyway. You know it and I know it. I’d never have run it if it wasn’t mine.” I pin each of them with a hard stare. “Let’s be clear here. I don’t need the company’s money. I only run it because I love to, but I can always find a few new hobbies to occupy my time.” It’s a half-bluff.
Grandmother is clutching Grandfather’s wrist, her hand vibrating with tension. Unspoken words are stuck in her throat. She wants to complain—maybe even plead. My grandparents have too much pride to protest about giving up control over their money to me—but they are dying little by little as I remain resolute.
“But we’ll be destitute!” Travis says finally.
Well, well, well. Go, Travis.He just earned a lot of Brownie points with my family. “Don’t be so melodramatic. All I’m asking for is insurance.”
“For what?” Grandfather is bewildered.
“For what? Are you serious? For something to ensure you all don’t betray me again.”
There are knocks on the meeting room door, and the person I’ve been waiting for comes in. A deeply tanned man with sun-bleached hair in a cheap suit. If a teenage Californian surfer was forced to grow into a middle-aged office worker, this is what he’d look like.
“There you are. Just in time.” I gesture him in with a smile, then direct him to an empty seat next to Travis.
“Who is this?” Mom asks.
“A notary public. My lawyer said I should have one for this.”
“We need our lawyers to review this,” Grandmother says.
“Feel free, but I’m not changing a word of it. It’s a take-it-or-leave-it deal.”
Mom opens her well-lipsticked mouth. “But—”
“You won’t find any loopholes, Mother. John Highsmith drafted it himself.”
Shock settles over them. John Highsmith is a legal shark, as lethal and vicious as Jeremiah Huxley. Seeing my family’s reaction is worth every penny I paid for his services.
Mom is the first to give in. She picks up a pen and signs. “There. Happy now?”
“Do I look happy to you?” I respond with a sarcasm I can’t hide anymore.
“Sebastian, this is just so…unseemly.” Grandmother stretches her hand out in a plea.
“I’m not doing it to be seemly.” I hold a lingering eye contact with her. Then I shift to Mother. “I’m doing this for satisfaction.” Then Travis. “Allof you need to sign, or the deal’s off.” Grandfather. “Your choice.”
Chapter 5
Sebastian
It’s almost funny how quickly my family folds.
But fold they do, and now I control their finances. One wrong step, I’m cutting them off. I’ve been too soft with them, obviously, for them to think they could “sell” me like some painting or something.
On my way back to my office, I hand the signed and notarized documents to Christoph. “Send these to John Highsmith.”
He nods and makes a note.
Once back in the office, I roll my shoulders. I’d prefer not to have to marry Lucienne Peery and take over everyone’s finances. But we all have to do things we don’t like. At least I didn’t have to look at Preston’s face. Lucky for him, since I wouldn’t have been able to hold myself back. A kick in the balls is the least he deserves.
Wait a minute…
Speaking of people I hate to see—I pull out my phone and start texting.
–Me: I’m getting married. Wanna attend the wedding?
I don’t have to wait for long.
