Page 118 of Billion Dollar Dispute

“No thanks,” I respond, not even able to think about food right now. The thought of disappointing my dad has my stomach in knots.

I walk across the light wooden floors to his study, finding the wooden door closed. Knocking, I wait until I hear him call out, “Come in.”

As I open the door, I suck in a deep breath. He’s sitting behind his desk, his head buried in a book.

My dad’s office is lined with bookshelves filled with a mix of fiction and nonfiction. His desk is cluttered with papers, and the walls are covered in art and framed newspaper clippings. The familiar scent of leather and old books hits me as I step inside.

“Harvey,” he says, glancing at his watch, probably wondering why I’m not at work. “What’s going on?”

“I need to talk to you about Recaredo Events,” I say as I walk into the room and take the chair opposite him.

He leans back in his chair, folding his arms. “What about it?”

“I failed,” I admit the words bitter on my tongue.

His brow furrows. “What do you mean, Son?”

“I couldn’t help her,” I say, my voice quieter now.

“Why not?”

I rub the back of my neck, gathering my thoughts. “She doesn’t want me to help her anymore.”

“That’s not an explanation. Start from the beginning.”

I slump forward, hands pressed to my forehead, head hanging between my shoulders, elbows resting on my knees. “We were working together, and everything seemed fine,” I say, my voice heavy. “Then I found out one of her long-term employees, a family friend, was embezzling and doing drugs. I paid him offto protect her.” I pause, letting out a slow exhale. “But he came back and told her I paid him off. I should’ve handled it differently.”

My dad’s gaze sharpens as he leans forward, his elbows on the desk. “Why didn't you go to the police?”

The weight of his question hits harder than I’d expected. My stomach twists as I drag a hand through my hair, tugging at the ends in frustration. “I thought I was doing the right thing.” My voice strains. “I didn’t want her reputation or business to take a hit. But it blew up in my face. I should’ve told her the truth.” I force myself to meet his eyes, even though it’s the hardest thing I’ve done all day. “I take full responsibility for that. I was wrong.”

His expression softens, but his tone remains firm. “As a businessman, I would advise you to call it in.”

I nod, feeling the heaviness of my mistake settle deeper in my chest. “I will.”

Reminding me of Jeremy when he’s deep in thought, he rubs his chin. I sink into the chair opposite his large wooden desk, my shoulders slumped in defeat. “I tried to win her back,” I say, staring at the floor. “It’s not about the firm anymore. I don’t care about that. I lost her, and her son, Chad. That’s what matters.”

“Did you fall for her?”

“Yeah,” I admit. Rubbing my hands down my face, I let out the breath I’d been holding. “But not just her. Chad too. And I lost both of them trying to help.”

Dad’s quiet for a second, then he moves to stand in front of me, arms crossed, head tilted to the side like he’s trying to figure me out. “You didn’t fail.”

That’s not what I expected to hear.

I snort, looking up at him through furrowed brows. “How? I’ve ruined everything good in my life.” Bitterness seeps into my words. “Feels like all I’ve done is lose.”

“You learned your lesson.”

“What lesson?” I scoff, hands thrown out. “That I’m a screw-up?” To me, it feels like I’ve fucked up everything. She was the love of my life. I told her that, and it still wasn’t enough.

His eyes stay on mine. “As your father, I need to remind you that family and love are more important than money.”

My heart’s pounding hard enough to feel it in my throat. Those words hang in the air, sinking into me. I always knew that, but maybe I didn’t show it on the outside.

A small grin tugs at the corner of his mouth. “You can have your inheritance.”

“No.” I sit up straight. “I don’t need the consulting firm.”

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