Page 12

Six words. Just six simple words that dismantled everything I’d built. I didn’t say a word and made sure to keep my expression blank. I could see he was waiting for questions, for protest, for anything that would give him an opening to deliver what I assumed was his carefully rehearsed explanation for why he was doing this.

I gave him nothing.

He filled the void predictably. “The terms are favorable. The board voted unanimously. Our brand identity will be maintained, and operations will continue largely unchanged.”

“When?” I asked. I wanted to get straight to the point and not the other bullshit that I’m sure he was ready to throw at me.

“The papers were signed yesterday. Public announcement tomorrow at nine.”

Yesterday. While I’d been finalizing client proposals, my father had been signing away my future. Fucking excellent.

“Cain Ashcroft will be here personally for the announcement,” my father added, watching me carefully.

I felt something crack inside me. Not my composure and I was proud of myself for not showing how I felt in reality. But I felt as if I got hit in the gut because the news almost made me sick. Cain Ashcroft. Here. Tomorrow.

My father had sold us to Cain Ashcroft.

“How long have you known this was happening?” I asked.

“We’ve been in talks off and on for months.”

Of course he had. “Months,” I repeated, the word feeling like sandpaper on my tongue. “And you never thought to mention it to me outside of a phone call several days ago that was vague as hell?”

“Sutton, there are confidentiality agreements, legal considerations⁠—”

“I’m your daughter,” I cut him off. “This was supposed to be my company.”

His expression hardened and I knew I’d touched a sore spot but that didn’t matter anymore. “Prescott Vantage is my company, Sutton. I founded it. I built it.”

“And I’ve spent the last decade transforming it,” I countered, feeling heat rise in my chest. “You hired me and I turned it into something that apparently Cain Ashcroft wants badly enough to make an offer.”

My father shifted in his seat and I saw his posture soften slightly because he knew I was right. “This is a good deal. The best outcome for everyone involved.”

“For everyone except me,” I said, standing up. I couldn’t sit still anymore. I moved to the window, needing the physical distance between him and me before I launched myself over the desk and did something I might regret. “You could have told me. You should have told me.”

“Would it have changed anything?” he asked.

I turned to face him. “Yes. I could have prepared. I could have—” I stopped myself. What exactly? Fought it? Found another buyer? Bought him out myself? The truth was that once my father and the board had made up their minds, my options were limited.

“Cain was very persuasive.” He paused and I watched as something crossed his face that I couldn’t quite name. “And I know Ashcroft Group has resources we need to compete at the next level. He has assured me that your position is secure.”

I nearly laughed at that. Cain Ashcroft’s assurances meant nothing. The man was infamous for restructuring companies until they were unrecognizable, keeping only what served his purposes.

“Did he tell you that before or after he had you sign the papers?” I asked.

“It was before anything was signed, if that means anything.”

“I see.” I let those two words hang between us because what was there left to say? My father had sold my future without consulting me, and the man who was taking it was going to be here tomorrow. I needed to process this, but not with the man I viewed as a traitor sitting across from me looking for me to forgive him for what he’d done.

“Sutton, I know this isn’t what you expected⁠—”

“I need you to leave.” My voice was steady, but inside I was collapsing in on myself.

He looked surprised, as if he’d expected me to eventually nod along with his explanation or get angry. Anything but indifference. “We should discuss this further. The transition period⁠—”

“Not now.” I held up my hand. “I can’t do this right now.”

My father stood slowly, hesitating like he wanted to say more. I turned back to the window, giving him my back instead of my full attention. I couldn’t look at him directly, not when I was this close to losing my shit.