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Malcolm gestured for Leo to take a seat opposite the desk. Leo remained standing.
Ignoring the snub, Malcolm said, “Grandfather is going to finalize my appointment as the next chairman and CEO of Sutton Properties.”
Leo’s half shrug was a deliberate attempt to feign indifference.
“Grandfather has grown sentimental lately,” Malcolm said with a sigh. “He wants you there.”
This was a little odd. Leo had a good relationship with Gramps, but he’d never insisted he attend in the past. He’d stop by his grandfather’s office to see if this was true.
“And you want me there to witness your glorious transition into CEO?” Malcolm didn’t need to know Leo had every intention of being at the board meeting—it was part of his plan.
“I’d rather you didn’t.”
“Sending me a simple text to tell me that would’ve saved me the trouble of coming here.”
Malcolm kept his focus on him. “I am the acting CEO of Sutton Properties, and you are an employee of Sutton Properties. If I request your presence for any meeting, I expect you to obey.”
Leo seethed with anger. Malcolm made the hierarchy clear. Malcolm was in charge, and Leo wasn’t. That would change. He just had to be patient.
“Being an employee is a technicality,” Leo said. “I have my own company.” This was bluster. He was deliberately encouraging Malcolm to believe he wasn’t interested in Sutton Properties. “Congratulations, by the way, on finishing the Kronos Hotel.”
“The Kronos has been a huge success. It’s already been nominated for several architectural awards,” Malcolm boasted.
“The honor belongs to our father and his team of architects, not you.”
Red blotches stained Malcolm’s cheeks. “You have no business mentioning my father,” Malcolm said with indignation.
He leaned on the desk, close to Malcolm’s face. “Yes, I do. My last name is Sutton, just like yours.”
Malcolm’s eyes narrowed. “You’re not a true Sutton.”
You’re not a true Sutton.The phrase rang in his ears. Leo believed his father was James Sutton because he told him so. “You don’t intimidate me.”
Malcolm snickered and shuffled through some papers. “Don’t come to the board meeting.”
“I’m still a member of the board,” Leo said with smug satisfaction.
“Your place on the board is a formality, and you know it,” Malcolm said.
“I’ll be there.” He rapped on the desk twice. “And I’ve decided to go to Gramps’s party after all.” It had been over a week since he’d seen Cassandra, but he hoped she would agree to come with him. Walking in with the daughter of his father’s rival would shake everything up. And why not? It was time to move on from old rivalries. He went to the door and said over his shoulder, “See you around.”
Malcolm twirled a pen around his fingers with an arrogant smile. He’d worn the same smile the day he stole Whitney.
What was that old saying? Revenge is a dish best served cold. When the time was right, Leo would savor every delicious bite. He headed to his grandfather’s office. This would be a far more enjoyable conversation.
“Is he in?” he asked, approaching Nigel, his grandfather’s assistant.
“Yes, Mr. Sutton, but he’s getting ready to leave for the day.”
“I won’t be long.” He knocked on the door.
“Come in,” his grandfather called out.
He entered the huge corner office. “Hi, Gramps.”
His grandfather’s office was decorated with a traditional heavy mahogany desk and tufted leather couches.
“Leo!” Gramps greeted him, rising from his chair with a bit of difficulty. His grandfather was almost eighty years old, and he had more gray hair since Leo last saw him. After Leo’s father died, Gramps returned to the office, but all the work and stress had taken a heavy toll on him. Despite his advanced age, he gave Leo a big embrace. “My goodness, how long has it been?”
