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“How much? You’ve had bad years before. This is nothing. It’s ups and downs, always has been.”
Growing up I recall times when funds were a little tighter. But Dad would move contracts around, re-negotiate terms. Find a way.The Rich’s always find a way, he’d say.
He clears his throat. “Everything.”
My eyes slam onto Mum who’s watching us with a drained expression.
“There’s a criminal investigation going on into the guy who set it all up. But it could take years. Years that we don’t have. And then we might never get any of the money back. It’s gone, son. And everything is connected to it. I can’t afford to pay anyone as of two weeks’ time. Chances are the company will fold. I need you to be prepared. We need a miracle to tide us over until it’s sorted out or we will lose everything. The business, the houses, everything we’ve worked for.”
Dad covers his mouth with his hand, his face ashen.
“Len,” Mum encourages. “Tell him the rest.”
“There’s more? Jesus.” I lean back in my chair, running my hands through my hair as my mind races a million miles per minute.Everything. Gone.
Dad drops his hand from his mouth, deep lines etched across his forehead as he meets my eyes.
“Spencer has offered his help. He’s got access to enough funds to buy us time. To see us through while the investigation runs. I can pay the staff. Make some cutbacks. Tighten things up. But the company will survive. We’ll survive.”
“Okay.” I lean over my forearms on the table. “That’s… that’s incredibly generous of him. But it’s also a huge risk he’s taking. What’s in it for him?”
Dad glances at Mum then back at me.
“You.”
“What do you mean, me?”
“Project Vex. You own the patent, son. It’s in your name, not the company’s. If you agree to grant sole manufacturing rights to Spencer’s company, then he’ll give us the money.”
Every muscle in my body tenses. This has been a dream of mine for months, years. But if it means helping Dad, there’s no question in my mind. This is my family.
“Fine. He can have it. I’ll sign the design over to him.”
Pride shines in Dad’s eyes before he shakes his head. “It’s worthless without you. You’re the one who has the investors. People don’t just buy into an idea. They buy into people. People they trust. People who excite them. Share their vision. They came onboard to work with you.”
“Spencer wants me to go work for him and take the design with me?” I look between Dad and Mum again as a choking silence fills the room.
Dad shifts in his seat. “Spencer’s like me. We’re not getting any younger. His business is his life’s work. He wants it to continue. Be a legacy. And he needs someone who knows what they’re doing to carry it forward.” He clears his throat. “For his future generations.” He pauses as I stare at him.
Realization rains down on me like a ton of bricks.
“This is why you want me to marry Gabrielle?”
“We don’t want you to do anything,” Mum interjects, shooting daggers at my father, who drags a hand over his mouth with a deep exhale.
“If you agree to marry Gabrielle and run the business, keep it in Spencer’s family for him, then he’ll give me the money to keep us afloat. He doesn’t want to be paid back. Not as long as you stay married. He wants Gabrielle provided for. He wants another generation to pass the business onto. It’s all he’s wanted since he lost Gabrielle’s mother. A secure, comfortable future for his daughter and her children.”
“Her children?” I choke out the words. Marrying Gabrielle is one thing, but having children with someone I don’t love?
“These are his terms,” Dad continues.
“Which you won’t be agreeing to,” Mum snaps, glaring at the back of Dad’s head.
“We’ll lose everything, Viv.”
Mum presses her fingers to her lips and spins away. Her back trembles with silent sobs.
Dad looks back to me. “I know it’s not an epic love story, son. But you know Gabrielle. She’s a nice girl and you two get along. You could be happy together. Happy and successful.”
