Leon approaches from across the room, holding two coffees. “Mr. Harris,” he says, a look of surprise crossing his face.
The older man turns, and irritation flashes through his features before it smooths away. “Mr...?”
“Billings,” Leon says, shifting awkwardly. “I worked on your design team here a few years back.”
“Ah. Yes. Mr. Billings.” He nods. “I trust London has been treating you both well.”
“Yes, sir,” Leon replies.
Mr. Harris’ attention returns to me. “Good. I hear you’re assisting Theodore on the Vortex Rise project.”
“Yes, sir,” I say.
“It’s rather curious that he’d need two engineers flown in from...?” He pauses, his eyes slowly traveling over us.
“Orlando,” Leon supplies.
“Yes.” He wrinkles his nose, his gaze flickering toward the window as if he can see all the way to the Atlantic. “That little backwater city better suited for retirement than a high-level engineering firm. I never understood why he lobbied for an office there of all places. But he’s always been an odd one.”
The way he says “odd” makes my skin crawl. It’s like he’s talking about a defect rather than his own son.
“Well... how is the project proceeding? Are there any ongoing complications I should be aware of?”
“No, sir,” Leon answers, shoulders stiffening. “Everything’s on track.”
“Brilliant. Our expansion into the Canadian market is riding on this project.” He pauses, turning his cold, clinical focus back to me. “Theodore may not have mentioned it, but we’re also looking to expand into the Asian market. I imagine someone with your background could be very...influentialin helping us open the right doors. Specifically with the Tanaka Group.”
The Tanaka Group operates the largest number of theme parks in Asia. They’ve always worked exclusively with Sumida Engineering, one of Japan’s most established design firms. Does Mr. Harris think he’d be able to convince Mr. Tanaka to work with him instead? Becausethat would never happen. Mr. Tanaka only works with other Japanese companies.
The terms of my NDA were supposed to be ironclad to protect my family’s privacy. No one outside of the core HR department should have had any access to my file. This isn’t the kind of information that just slips out in a meeting. And it tells me that this man is even more dangerous than I imagined.
“I’m not sure what I could do,” I say carefully. “Mr. Tanaka is a friend of my father’s, not me.”
“I’m sure we could think of something.” Harris laughs to himself. It’s cold and almost on par with Cruella de Vil.
The sound of footsteps behind us breaks the tension. I turn, relief washing over me when I see Theo. He’s back to normal in a pressed blue shirt, silver tie, and black slacks.
The moment he takes us in, his stride slows. “Mr. Harris,” he says evenly.
Not Father. Not Dad. Just a cold, professional title that mirrors the distance between them.
“Theodore.” Harris nods curtly. “I was just acquainting myself with your staff.”
I spy Leon rolling his eyes.
Theo’s jaw tightens. He takes a half step forward, subtly placing himself between us and his father. “If you’ll excuse us,” he says, his voice clipped, “I need Kaori and Leon for a meeting.”
“Miss Minami, a pleasure,” Harris says.
I manage a polite smile.
“Mr. Billings.” He gives Leon a brief nod. “Theodore.”
He strides away and Theo exhales, planting his hands on his hips. “I was doing so well avoiding him today.” It’s rare to hear Theo sound anything less than composed. “Sorry about that. You two all right?”
“Yup. Good to see Mr. Harris’ bedside manner hasn’t changed,” Leon says, raising his coffee cup like a toast. “I’m amazed he recognized me.”
His attention stays fixed on me. “Kaori?”
