Every day, he had his assistant refresh the list of every person who worked for Chandler’s in every capacity, no matter how small, and place it on his desk, in plain sight. A visible, tangible reminder of the small universe of people who were relying on him.
“I’m well aware of how many stores we have, boy,” John sniped. “I’m old, but I can still read a spreadsheet.”
Nicholas placed his hands on the table, making his tone firm. “We’ve issued a statement that we stand by our rigorous quality standards for all our suppliers and we’ll investigate the charges. If it comes up that this is accurate, we can discuss how we’ll proceed.”
Brendan leaned forward, frowning. “That implies we’ll correct any so-called abuses. We shouldn’t commit to that until—”
“For crying out loud, Brendan, we’ll be fine even if we have to cut a fish or honey supplier. Don’t nickel-and-dime on this tiny shit.”
“It’s—”
“Enough,” Nicholas said. He regulated his voice when he caught the sharp glance his father gave him. “I can handle this.”
John harrumphed, but he subsided. “Is there anything more for us to discuss? I need fresh air.”
“No, we’re done.” Nicholas placed his napkin on his barely eaten plate.
“Excellent. Eve, you’re still coming over tomorrow? I need some more help going through your grandmother’s letters.”
“Yes, Grandpa.”
John’s blue eyes softened. “Good, good. Thank you.”
The screen went blank and Nicholas turned the computer off. Brendan shoved his chair back. “Nicholas, I have a meeting in ten minutes. Email me that site survey on the new location in Connecticut.”
Eve cleared her throat. “Actually, I have some news.”
Nicholas looked at his sister, surprised but ready to encourage his usually quiet sibling. Technically, Eve wasn’t employed by the corporation. Since she’d graduated college two years ago, she’d worked for The Maria Chandler Foundation, a nonprofit established by their mother to fund scholarships for underprivileged youth.
Eve had recently joined these meetings at his father’s demand. At first, Nicholas had had some hope his dad had softened his rigid, dismissive attitude toward his only daughter and wanted to pull her into the business. But she rarely spoke, and when she did, their father wasn’t exactly supportive. Nicholas had decided Brendan only wanted her there because she had a softening effect on John.
Always ready to use any tool in his arsenal. Even if those tools were human. That was his dad.
“Is this about the gala?” Brendan snorted. “Isn’t it enough for me to write a big check every year? Do we have to discuss what linens are being used?”
Eve drew back. Nicholas bared his teeth at theirfather, ready to bodily defend his sister from the man. “The gala is a huge event and not an easy undertaking.”
“Oh yes. Party planning is quite the full-time job.”
“It’s not about the gala, and it’s not about linens. I didn’t want to say anything in front of Grandpa because I didn’t want to upset him, but...” Eve licked her lips. “I heard something, and I thought I ought to bring it to your attention.”
Brendan stood, irritation creasing his face. “I don’t have time to hear about who’s cheating on who at the country club, Evangeline. Gossip with your girlfriends, not us.”
Before Nicholas could intervene, Eve lifted her chin and met her father’s gaze. “Olivia Kane is home, it seems.”
Their father completely stilled. “What did you say?”
Shit, shit, shit,shit.Nicholas tensed, his brain clicking into high gear. He’d silenced the cousin who had come running to him but he’d known this was a possibility.
“Livvy.” Eve swallowed, but she maintained eye contact with their father. Later, when Nicholas wasn’t worried about all of this, he’d be proud of her. “I... heard it from a fairly good source, that she’s settling in, and even has a job. I thought it may be better you know.” Eve’s dark gaze slid to Nicholas, and there was concern there. She’d only been thirteen when everything had fallen apart, but she knew how he’d once felt about Livvy. “Instead of discovering about it from gossips.”
“People are gossiping about it?” Brendan’s words were measured and slow, but it felt like the temperature in the room dropped ten degrees, as it always did when their father heard the Kane name. Their father had done his best to eradicate all mention of Livvy’s family.
Cold swept over Nicholas, and he’d never welcomed the iciness more.Feel nothing. Reveal nothing.“When do people not gossip about us?” He kept his tone cool and mild. “This is no different.”
Eve’s hand clenched into a small fist, worry making her lips pucker. “I’m sorry I blurted it out so abruptly, Nicholas. I know you two were once very close—”
“That was a long time ago,” he interrupted her. “Don’t stress. This doesn’t affect me at all.” He came to his feet. “It doesn’t affect any of us.”
