Page 14 of One Weekend in Quebec City

“Let’s start with the obvious. Why now? Why this sudden desire to change your public image?”

I fight to keep any hint of anger from creeping into my voice. “It’s not sudden, Shelby. It’s been building for a while. Ever since my father died, and I took over the company, the board has been skeptical. They see me as irresponsible, the kid who’s more interested in models and parties than in running a multi-billion-dollar business.”

“And are they wrong?”She asks, the journalist pushing for honesty, even if it’s uncomfortable. She meets my gaze head-on, her expression earnest.

“They’re not entirely wrong. I enjoy life. I’m single. I’ve dated some beautiful women. I like to have fun every now and then. But that’s not all I am. I’ve worked hard to get where I am. I care deeply about this company, about my family’s legacy.”

She makes notes while I try to put order to my racing thoughts.

I glance down at the page, allowing myself a moment of contemplation.

“Talk to me about your family,”she murmurs, slowly raising her eyesbackto mine.

I sigh, leaning back in my chair. “My family is complicated. My father built an empire, but he also left a lot of messes behind. My mother is still grieving, still dealing with the fallout of his affairs. She’s been ill, withdrawn from the public eye.”

Shelby nods, her eyes filled with empathy. “And your siblings? How are they involved in the business?”

“Hayden, my younger brother, well, he’s brilliant, but he’s also reckless. He’s been off ‘finding himself,’traveling, experiencing life. He’s not ready to take on a big role in the company yet, but I know he has the potential to be a valuable asset. He just needs to grow up a bit.”

“And your sister, Piper?”

My heart and voice soften when I think of my sister. “Piper is the baby of the family. She’s only twenty-one, still in school. She’s got a great head for business, but she’s not ready to step into a leadership role yet. I’m trying to give her the time and space she needs to grow, to find her own path.”

“And what about you? How do you balance their needs with the demands of the business?”

I run a hand through my hair, a gesture of frustration and determination. “It’s a constant juggling act. I want to protect them, to give them the best chances to succeed. But I also need to keep the company afloat, right some wrongs, gain back the trust and respect my family name deserves. I want that for my mother. It’s a lot of pressure, but I’m determined.”

Shelby looks up, her eyes filled with admiration. “You’re doing an amazing job, Spencer. It’s clear that you care deeply about your family and the business. Your dedication is inspiring.”

“Thank you. It means a lot to hear that.”

I sink deeper into the chair, the leather creaking beneath me. “I miss my mom though.”I scrub a hand over my face, rubbing away the weariness I know is etched into the lines around my eyes. Lines that didn’t exist before Dad died.

“I understand that feeling more than you think, Spencer. I’m sorry.”

My heart suddenly aches as a moment oftrueunderstanding appears in her eyes. The meticulously constructed wall I usually present to the world cracks. “You do, don’t you?”

“My parents died a long time ago.”

“I’m sorry.”

She offers a polite smile. “Let’s get back to you.”

I want to ask more questions. But it let it slide for the moment.

I don’t want to get into the sordid details, but I did say there were no off-limits topics. “My father had an affair, many affairs. His last one caused a significant scandal. Although she never said a word, I think Mom knew. But the one that ruined everything did her in. She became ill. He died. She withdrew completely from her public life, grieving and embarrassed.”

“She still loved him.”

“They’d been together over forty years.”

“When did the affairs start?”

I shrug. I really don’t know. And it doesn’t matter. He hurt the one person he’d promised to love and cherish.

“So, you’re trying to hold the fort until Hayden steps up to help.”Her smile is sweet, conveying genuine empathy for the situation. “Tell me about work. Why do you need to clean up your persona?”

“Everyone—the media, business associates, the board of directors—they all want to lump me in with my dad’s bullshit. They think I’m his clone, and I’m not. I would never do the things he did. I’d never treat women the way he did. Certainly not my wife… when I have one. I’m not him. But they continue to paint me with the same brush.”My words are laced with raw, simmering anger lurking beneath the surface for months.

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