Page 13 of Collateral Damage
He laughs darkly. “Hate my father all you want; he’s no angel, but he’s not a monster, either. Think about it, Sybil. This wasbeforeyour mother tried to ruin our family by blaming Ethan for your father’s death. Despite everything that had happened, he still cared about your mom’s feelings. He knew this would destroy her. He didn’t want that.”
My vision blurs.
“You’re stunning when you’re angry,” he says, his words kind but his tone cruel, “but somehow even more stunning when you’re sad. That’s unfortunate, Sybil. I always liked your smile most.”
“That’s some messed up shit to say,” I whisper.
“And I’m an asshole for noticing.” He shrugs, his eyes intent on mine.
I shake my head. This is a lot to process. If this is true, it means my mom’s little sister, a woman who was estranged from the family and who died from drug addiction, was also a woman who had slept with my father.
They had a child together.
“The old contract still stands,” Cooper says. “Our fathers made it when they went into business together, and now that Arden has been proven to be Gregory’s child, the contract will be enforced.”
I hold up my hand to stop him from continuing. “I get it, Cooper. You’re legally taking ten percent of our company, and we’re taking ten percent of yours, but since we only own fifty-four percent, you now have the power to make it so we no longer have majority equity in our own company.”
The fucker smirks. “How is it my fault your father let so much ownership go over the years?” he argues. “That’s not something my father would’ve ever allowed to happen to King Media. He would’ve let the whole company burn to the ground before relinquishing control.”
I don’t care; they’re two totally different companies, and I could argue that King wouldn’t have had the success he did without Laurence helping him along the way.
“So what happens next?” I ask.
“Time will tell.”
What a cop out.
He brushes past me, leaving me alone in the kitchen as he walks into the party. If there was anything left in his heart for my family, then maybe he feels a little awful for what just happened. From the looks of it, though, he feels fantastic. That’s a man who’s been vindicated.
And I’m a woman who has to reevaluate everything I thought was true.
Six
Cooper
Past - Age 18
“The days of getting perfect grades are over, aren’t they?” Sybil sighs, plopping her face into the open textbook and groaning. I’m tempted to do the same, but basking in the scent of paper and desperation isn’t going to fix the hell that is finals week. I thought our prep school was hard, and studying for the SATs had been awful, but nobody warned me how difficult studying for finals would be, especially at Harvard. Guess Sybil didn’t get the memo, either.
“Unfortunately, perfect grades might not be possible here,” I say, offering a conspiratorial smile.
We’re sitting across from each other, Perry Hargrove at my side and my brother next to her. It’s a miracle we all got into the business school, but thank God I’m not doing this alone.
“Why don’t we take a break?” I offer. It’s the weekend, we’ve been at it for hours, and my brain is mush. “Let’s go find a party or something. We can come back to this tomorrow.”
“I’m down.” Perry closes his textbook with an audiblethwack. “Besides, I’m ready for the final.”
Of course he is.Perry is a genius. He’s even got the Mensa card to prove his high IQ. Right now, he’s smiling like the fucking Cheshire Cat. He has the best smile, was even voted “best smile” back in school. Probably because he’s so fucking smart that life seems to come easy to him. That, and he doesn’t have his family demanding every move he makes. He actually gets tochoosewhat he’s going to do for a career. Imagine that.
“You’re ready for the final?” Sybil scoffs. “I kind of want to throw my textbook at you right now.”
At least Perry has the decency to look sheepish.
“Yeah, ‘cause he has a photographic memory,” Ethan points out. “The rest of us need to keep studying.”
That’s Ethan for you. He’s like a drill sergeant when it comes to school. I probably wouldn’t be at a school like this if it weren’t for Ethan’s constant pestering.
“You’re right. Iknowyou’re right,” Sybil says, all high-pitched and sounding like she’s on the verge of tears. “But I think if I read through these macroeconomics notes one more time, I’m going to cry. Honestly. My soul is tired.”
