Total pages in book: 63
Estimated words: 57407 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 287(@200wpm)___ 230(@250wpm)___ 191(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 57407 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 287(@200wpm)___ 230(@250wpm)___ 191(@300wpm)
He looked appalled that Nina had blamed Georgia for his health issues. Finally, he shook his head. “I can’t deny that your choice disappointed me, but you changing majors had nothing to do with me having a heart attack.” He let out a long groan. “As for Elliott, I never thought your mother would take things so far. Apparently she was operating behind my back, more determined than even I realized to get you two together.”
Georgia nodded, relieved to know her father hadn’t been manipulating her too. She crossed her legs and exhaled a deep breath. “I went to see her on Friday to set things straight, and I guess I’m here to do the same with you.”
He held up his hands, palms out. “There’s nothing to set straight, Georgia. It’s your life, your decision, and I respect that. Of course, I’d be lying if I didn’t say I’d love for this firm to somehow stay in the family, but that’s not your burden to carry.” He lifted one shoulder and shrugged. “As it turns out, one of the senior partners has mentioned he’s interested in buying me out when I’m ready to retire, so that’s always an option.”
“Just not one that makes Mom happy,” I pointed out.
“No, but what matters most to me is your happiness, Georgia.” He reached out and took the hand she had resting on the arm of the chair, giving it a gentle squeeze. “I would never want you to do anything that would make you miserable, or expect you to do something out of some sort of obligation or expectation. And I’m very sorry your mother doesn’t feel the same way and has been torturing you over it. But I am very proud of you for not letting her walk all over you.”
The apology in her father’s voice was genuine, and it was at times like these that her parents seemed so mismatched in their priorities. As an attorney, her father had a strong, tenacious personality, and he didn’t suffer fools, yet at home, he didn’t always call his wife on her behavior…maybe to avoid an argument or confrontation? Georgia didn’t know.
She didn’t understand most of the dynamic between her parents, and it wasn’t her place to analyze their marriage, or even question it. But there was one thing Georgia had realized. Her mother wasn’t truly happy. Her husband gave her everything she wanted…except his time and attention. And those tangible things didn’t make up for the lack of emotional connection, and Georgia had to wonder if her mother was trying to find her own happiness living through and at the expense of others.
“Elliott mentioned that you might be seeing Drew Daniels,” her father said, pulling Georgia out of her thoughts.
Georgia was no longer shocked that Elliott had leaked that bit of information to her father. She didn’t like the man at all, and still didn’t know what her father saw in him, but her dad had the right to hire whoever he wanted. It wasn’t Georgia’s decision, and now that she’d put clear-cut boundaries between herself and Elliott, she no longer cared.
“I take it you know who he is?” she asked, since her father said Drew’s name with such familiarity.
He laughed. “Of course I do. He’s got quite an impressive reputation as a merger and acquisition attorney. His firm and ours were in negotiations with a company looking for a legal team to represent them in an eight-billion-dollar merger. They chose Drew’s proposal over Elliott’s, so he essentially stole the deal right out from under Elliott.”
Georgia frowned. “Stole it?”
“Oh, it was all legal, of course,” he said with a wave of his hand. “But it was a huge loss for our firm and for Elliott, who took it pretty badly. It’s kind of hard to forget a loss like that one, not to mention the man savvy enough to pull it off.”
Georgia found that bit of information enlightening. It certainly explained some of Elliott’s jealousy and pettiness toward Drew.
After her conversation with her father, Georgia walked out of his office, only to be stopped by Elliott. He’d stepped out of a conference room and blocked her way.
“Excuse me,” she said in a terse tone, expecting him to move.
He didn’t. Instead, he stepped closer, unmistakable resentment narrowing his eyes. Any niceties or pleasantries that might have existed between them, even if only on a surface level, were gone.
The corner of his mouth turned up in a cruel smile. “You do realize that the only reason Drew Daniels is dating you is to get back at me, don’t you?”
Georgia rolled her eyes at his outrageous claim. “Whatever you say,” she said, refusing to get into any argument. They were alone for the moment, but she had no desire to make a scene in her father’s firm.