I leaned back in my chair, clearing my throat as I answered. “Father dearest,” I said lightly, “how are you feeling today?”
“Tired. Which, according to my doctors, is now a sign of progress.”
“That’s the spirit.”
“Still walking every morning,” he added. “Slowly. They don’t let me forget it.” A pause. “And you?”
“Everything’s running smoothly. For now. You know how these things are.”
“That I do. And… Ethan? Is he well?” he asked, not hesitant, exactly—just careful.
“He is,” I said. “He’s been amazing, actually. Helping me with some of the research for the expansion project.”
“That doesn’t surprise me. He was rather ambitious in his time here.”
“And too stubborn to be left out.”
A faint huff of amusement came through the line. “That too. I’m glad you have him,” he said after a moment. “Recovery makes you acutely aware of how much you don’t like being alone.”
Something about that landed deeper than he probably meant it to.
“There’s something else I wanted to speak to you about,” he went on. “One of the seats on the Langley Enterprises board will be opening at the end of the quarter.”
I blinked.
“I’d like to nominate you for it.”
Surprise jolted through me, straightening my spine. “The board?”
“Yes, the board,” he said. “You know this business inside and out, and you’ve been effectively running your own for years. This isn’t symbolic. It’s overdue.”
“That’s not a small thing.”
“No,” he agreed. “It isn’t. And I wouldn’t offer it if I didn’t believe you were exactly what the company needs.” He paused, then added, quieter, “What you weathered last year would have sunk most. Instead, you stabilized, rebuilt, and came back stronger. That isn’t luck. That’s leadership.”
The words settled deep in my chest. “And the… enthusiastic press coverage?” I asked before I could stop myself.
A soft exhale. “People talk. They always will. What matters is that you held the line, protected your people, and refused to compromise your integrity. That’s what endures.”
Pride twisted with something older. Something that still wanted his approval more than I cared to admit. “That’s—” I exhaled. “I’m not sure what to say. Thank you.”
“Not necessary,” he said. “Even if you won’t be the head of Langley Enterprises, I want your voice at the table. We need someone with a vision for the future we can trust.”
“And you trust me?”
“I do.”
Coming from him, that was everything.
“We’ll go over the details later,” he added. “But I wanted you to hear it from me first.”
“Thank you,” I said, meaning more than just the job.
“And Sebastian?”
“Yes?”
“Give Ethan my regards.”
