Page 82 of All the Gossip from Paris
A familiar face appeared in front of her. “Your father wishes to speak to you. He is upstairs in the Presidential Suite,” said Patrice.
“How is he?” she asked.
“In a good deal of pain. Your mother said he left the hospital against doctors’ advice. The helicopter flight from Lausanne was a nightmare.”
As she went to move past him, and head toward the elevator, Patrice took a hold of Sophie’s arm. “I should warn you. He’s livid about your gown. Though I’m not sure what part irks him the most. The fact that you put your own work into his show or that you used someone famous like Adeya to do it.”
He gave her one of his rare smiles. “That was a brave thing you did. I’m impressed.”
But if Patrice thought that by offering her this tiny amount of support, he might win her back, he was sadly mistaken.
“Thank you for the warning.”
When she reached the Presidential Suite, Sophie knocked on the door and waited. Her mother answered it. She gave Sophie a brief hug, and said. “It’s good to see you. Try not to take everything he says at face value. The trip back to Paris was beyond awful. Your father refused to take his pain meds so he could keep a clear head.”
Great. Not only was she going to have to face the bear, but he would be wounded. Sophie braced herself for what was to come.
Her father was resting on a long couch, his broken leg propped up on a chair. Behind him was stuffed several large pillows. He looked about as comfortable as someone who’d been in a serious ski accident mere weeks before would look. The lines on his face were deep.
“Sit,” he commanded.
Sophie grabbed a chair and took a seat. She rested her hands on her knees and took a slow deep breath.
“The fashion industry is one of egos, and jealousy. I’ve lost count of the designers who’ve attempted to steal my work. Take my glory and claim it for themselves,” said François.
Sophie sat silent in the chair. Her gaze traced the patterns of the expensive red, gray, and white, Turkish rug.
“I just never thought that one of my own children would ever seek to do what you did today. You took what was mine and snipped off a piece for yourself.”
As if explaining something to a simpleton, he made a cutting motion in the air. Sophie caught the move out of the corner of her eye, but she didn’t meet his gaze. Only a fool tried to stare François down when he was in one of his furies.
“My own daughter. Someone I trusted. Betrayed me for her own selfish needs.”
Sophie’s head shot up. She opened her mouth ready to refute his accusations, then decided against it. It was better to take her punishment than engage in open warfare.
“Patrice worked so hard to bring this collection together. It’s time you finally accepted that if you want to be a part of my atelier, you are going to have to march in step with him.”
I’ve got to get out of here.
In times past she would have sat here and let him berate her. Instead, Sophie rose. She carefully placed the chair back in its place. Then with quiet purpose walked toward the door.
“Your mother and I will be back at the chateau later tonight. Arrangements are underway for a hospital bed to be set up in the sunroom for me. I need somewhere to work while I rest and recuperate.”
Sophie opened the door. Her fathers last words followed her out into the elevator lobby. “I’ve enough to deal with, but now I have to find a way to handle clients who want to order a gown which I didn’t design.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
Liam sent a text to Ryan.
Sorry I didn’t catch you before we left. Sophie and I are in the car.
Tonight was a shitshow.
???
As soon as the driver closed the door of their private car, Sophie slipped her earbuds on and tuned out. Her body language told him all he needed to know. She was barely holding herself together. The best thing he could do was to leave her alone with her thoughts. If Sophie wanted to talk, she would.
Liam hit dial on his cellphone and called his brother. He quickly gave Ryan an update on the fallout from Sophie’s visit to her father. Ryan asked him not to tell Sophie that Camille was in tears. Sophie had enough on her plate without imparting that piece of news to her.
