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“Ok, yes, I did. You were out of the office. The way your assistant made it seem as you were slacking on your responsibilities. I’ve never known you to be so careless. Listen, it’s done now. I’ll finish the deal. We have a board meeting in three days. This can’t be virtual, so pack up. You’ll need to be in the main office at three o’clock.” Mumbled voices in the background distract my father, and before I can protest, he ends the conversation. “I have to go. Let’s get you back on track, Victor. This playtime is over. It’s back to business.”
I hang up the phone before he does, so I lose my mind. This whole deal has gone to shit, and it’s worse than what I thought.
That bastard.
I aspired to have the same business acumen as him. But now he’s crossed the line. Changing legal documents, keeping tabs on me, and went behind my back after I said no to the acquisition. He also downplayed my relationship with Collins.
The time here has made me realize that the cutthroat country club life I led was soulless.
Time to make a change.
Raising my phone to type in the number of someone I hope will support my next steps. I won’t go down without a fight.
“Mr. Withers here.”
“Evening, sir. It’s Victor.”
“What can I do for you?” He sounds confused. We’ve only spoken in the office. I admit I haven’t built a working relationship, or any relationship at all, but he’s Massey’s dad.
“I’d like to ask you some things about the new motions that were run through this week on Leland’s garage. I know you’ve known my dad for a long time. Did you know?”
He lets out a huff of annoyance. “I saw the paperwork after you signed it. I couldn’t think of why you would do that and then continue to see Collins. It’s why I haven’t approached you. I may not be as close to their family as my daughter, but they are good people. Massey just told me what happened. That’s one of the first things you learn at law school. Always read before you sign.”
“Fair point. I have a feeling my dad changed the motions without telling me. The documents I prepared a few weeks ago were to terminate the request. I wasn’t aware my father changed them when I came to work and printed them to turn them in before the deadline. My assistant just handed me a stack that she said I printed and needed to sign. I admit, I was distracted and acted carelessly.”
“You do know your dad has done this before? To me and some other partners. It’s why I left New York and started this branch. I needed to distance myself from him and his antics. When he insisted you come out for this deal, I was hesitant. But you do good work and I couldn’t go against the client’s wishes when they requested you.”
“My dad’s done this before?”
“Oh, yeah. A lot.”
“I never knew.”
“He’s always been someone that gets his way. Doesn’t like to be wrong or showed up. Since you started seeing Collins, you’ve become your own person. Plus, not being so close to him, you can start to see things from a different perspective.” Mr. Wither’s clears his throat, releasing some tension his voice once had. “Collins has always brought out the best in people and she is a good woman.”
“I never knew there were people like her.”
“She’s always been good to Massey. Massey always had trouble finding friends who didn’t put her down or hang out for the wrong reasons. Collins just clicked with her. Leland is a smart man, and we both know how much Lawson cares for Massey. I had peace of mind knowing she would be safe when they hung out.”
“I can see that.” I bite my lip and cringe at the self-inflicted pain. For a moment, I forgot about the physical fight from earlier. “If I send you some documents, can you proofread them tonight and submit them in the morning? I have a board meeting in New York I’ve been summoned to attend, but I need this done. I need to make this right for them.”
“If it’s getting out of that eminent domain, then count me in. I’d love to smack that smile off your dad’s face.” Humor dances at his words.
“I couldn’t agree more! Mind if we keep this between us?”
“Don’t mind at all. I look forward to it.”
I end the call with Mr. Withers and spend the next couple of hours writing up motions and then another document for a town meeting later this week. Bringing in a few big wigs to get an idea of what they will see and hear from the community. I need to do whatever I can to save this small community.
After I’ve written, edited, and then read again, I send everything to Mr. Withers. My eyes scan over one of the listings that has me thinking of my woman. Even if she chooses not to take me back, I can never return to New York the same way. Texting a confirmation for an offer to the realtor about the perfect property. I watched Taylor say he was staying and reveled in the conviction in his tone. He’s going to do whatever he can to win Leland back, and I take that cue.
I know what I want. The life I led was full of empty and colorless promises. It was a slow black-and-white film. Collins… Collins came in and dumped a can of the brightest color in my life. The first time I saw her, she was carrying a surfboard three times her size, wearing a bikini that fit perfectly, and showed a strong dislike for money. She is an anomaly, a rare diamond.
I spend the entire evening on the computer. Tomorrow morning, I will get back my bag and head for New York, temporarily. Make my way to the city that will leave me overcome by the feeling of being drowned in a sea of concrete.
I’m ready to take on any fight my father has planned. Each decision made will end with Collins back in my life.
Chapter 19
