Page 75 of Cru's Crush
“Daphne,” my mother whispered. “Let the nurses know he’s awake.”
“I’ll be right back, Dad,” I said, kissing his cheek a second time.
I rushed from the room, and before I reached the desk, my mobile rang with a call from Cru.
“My dad is awake!” I exclaimed. “Just now. I need to tell the nurses.”
“Daphne, I’m so happy to hear this news! Call me when you can.”
“Sorry.”
“Don’t be. Do what you need to do. I’ll be here.”
“Thanks, Cru. I love you.” I cringed when I hit the button to end the call before he could say it back, but I knew he’d understand.
My mumand I were asked to leave my father’s room periodically throughout the rest of the day and evening, but we refused to go home. If there was a chance he’d speak, neither of us could stand the idea of missing it.
Instead of meeting Mrs. Stanhope somewhere outside the hospital, she agreed to come to the cafeteria when we told her why we didn’t want to leave.
After we chatted for a few minutes and ate a light lunch, my mum excused herself. That was when my dad’s secretary pulled out an expandable document holder that appeared full.
“If there’s anything else you need, dear, just let me know and I’ll keep digging.”
“My mother said that, before his stroke, she believed he may have uncovered something about Steve Dorian that would’ve given him reason to remove him as chairman.”
“I’m sorry, Daphne. If he did, he didn’t say anything to me.”
I patted the envelope and thanked her. “As soon as my dad is ready for visitors, I’ll put your name first on the list.”
Later in the evening,my mum and I decided to return to the house to rest. As we were leaving my father’s room, we were met by his neurological team. Based on various tests they’d run, they determined my father had lost his ability to speak and walk, but functionality in his hands and arms seemed strong. They assured us, though, that he could recover fully. It would just take work.
I glanced over at my dad and saw he was trying to say something. I leaned in closer. “What is it?”
The only sound he could make was that of a W. However, I knew what he meant. He was willing to do whatever was necessary, put in all the work he had to, in order to recover.
In the weeks that followed,while my father struggled with rehab, Martin and Hewitt—who’d arrived a few days ago—and I were equally challenged by the Cullen House board of directors.
We’d met with each individually, at first, under the guise of introducing me as the interim member carrying my father’s proxy.
Unfortunately, after several days of trying to change the minds of some of the men who knew my father well, it was still five against five—which meant Steve Dorian would cast the last vote to break the tie and demand my father’s resignation. It didn’t seem to matter that my dad was incapable of tendering it.
The man was also pushing for Martin and Hewitt to resign. Instead, they remained steadfast in theirdetermination to help me regain control of the business my father and mother had built from the ground up.
I was aboutto get in the car to leave for the rehab center to see my dad when Martin met me in the driveway near where he and Hewitt had been staying in two of my parents’ estate’s guesthouses.
“Daph, I’m glad I caught you. We need to return to the States this morning for an emergency meeting later in the week. We’ll return as soon as we’re able. I apologize for this.”
“I understand. I’ve already taken too much of your time as it is. I fear it’s a lost cause.” It broke my heart to admit it, but no amount of begging, pleading, or cajoling had resulted in any of the remaining members being willing to change their vote. “At least let me give you a lift to the airport.”
“We’ll take you up on it,” he said when Hewitt joined us. “If we don’t, we might miss our flight.”
21
CRU
Daphne and I spoke almost every day, but with each that passed, I felt us growing farther apart. While we didn’t acknowledge it in our phone calls, it would be six weeks tomorrow since she left California. No doubt she knew the passage of time, given it was equal to when her father had his stroke.
From what she said, he was recovering, just at a pace that frustrated him more than Daphne or her mom. Consequently, Noah was surly and unpleasant to be around, not unlike myself.
