Owning Violet (The Fowler Sisters #1)(93)
“Is he busy?” I ask in greeting when she answers.
“Not at the moment. If you come now, you’ll probably be able to squeeze in a few minutes before his next appointment.”
“I’ll be right there.” I hang up and head down the hall toward Father’s office, wondering what he could want to talk about. Nothing unusual is going on that I know of. I’ve been lying low, especially after my fake tentative reconciliation with Zachary. I haven’t mentioned it to Rose or Lily, and I’m hoping I’ll never have to mention it because everything will come together perfectly. They will kill me if they think I’m back with him.
But I have my doubts about this plan. How can it come together when Ryder is being so secretive? I don’t even fully understand what’s going on.
“Ah, there you are.” Father smiles when he spots me standing in the open doorway. He looks genuinely happy to see me. Weird. “I was hoping to talk to you. Sit.”
I do as he asks, straightening my skirt, ignoring the ache between my legs and the fact that I’m not wearing any panties. I don’t even recognize who I am anymore. “What’s going on?” I ask politely.
“First, I want you to know that Alan Brown has been released from prison.” He lifts his hand when I open my mouth, silencing me. “He’s in upstate New York and can’t leave the county. He has to check in with his parole officer on a regular basis.”
I release a shuddering breath. “Do you think that will stop him?”
“Violet.” He levels his gaze on me. “He’s not going to come after you. You’re worrying about nothing.”
Leave it to him to dismiss my fears. He’s been doing that in regard to Alan Brown since the incident happened. “I can’t help it,” I admit softly. “You didn’t see his face when I testified against him, how angry he was. I could see the rage he felt toward me, but you don’t know. You weren’t there.” He was at work. Grandma came with me, sitting discreetly in the courtroom, hiding in the back row. She’s such a recognizable icon that she couldn’t risk being seen by any of the media.
She had no problem coming with me, being there for me. Lily wanted to come, too, but she was even more recognizable than our grandmother, especially back then, since that was at the height of her notoriety.
Father acted like it was nothing. A blip in my existence. Nothing more.
“Of course, you can’t help it. It was a traumatic experience, but you can’t let it control your life.” His voice is firm, his expression pleasant. Telling me that I’m just wasting my time.
So I do as he asks and move on. “Is there anything else?”
“Yes. As you know, Zachary is leaving us. Temporarily of course,” he adds hastily. “But it’s happening, and I’m not sure when his short tenure is up in London if he’ll be returning here,” Father explains.
I frown. “What do you mean?”
“Well, we’re opening up a small office in Japan. I believe that would be a better fit for him. We want to tap into the edgy Tokyo market and I think he would do well leading the team there.” He leans forward, his voice lowering. “We both know it wasn’t working between the two of you.”
I can’t believe he just said that. “So he won’t be coming back?” I ask, my words slow and careful. I want to make sure I completely understand what he’s implying.
“No. I have no plans for his return.” He gives me a look, one that says he knows everything. “He’s disruptive, Violet, and you know it. I let him stick around this long because of your relationship with him, but now that’s in complete shambles …”
“I’m still talking to him,” I say, interrupting him.
“Don’t waste your time.” The way Father says it, it’s as if there’s no argument necessary. We’re done. “He’s no good for you, Violet. His philandering has hurt you terribly.”
I’m shocked. I didn’t realize he even noticed. “What about his current position?”
“His second in command will take his place,” Father says smoothly, without a care. “I’d like to talk to you about taking on the London position. Permanently.”
My mouth drops open. “I haven’t thought much about it.” All lies. From the moment he mentioned the possibility, the idea has lingered in my mind. Going to London would be a terrific opportunity. I could learn a lot there. The only thing I fear is leaving New York, my family, my friends.
Ryder.
“Really? It’s the perfect opportunity. And it wouldn’t be forever. You can assist with foreign production, catch a glimpse of the sales side and the marketing side. All of it excellent information you can add to your résumé when you take over the company for me after I retire.”
I’m gaping at him like some sort of dying fish. What he’s saying is blowing my mind. “What about everything I do here?”
“Rose can help. And Lily …” His voice drifts and his gaze turns sad. “I have high hopes I can convince her to come back and work with me. Maybe with you gone she’ll understand how much we need her.”
I can’t help but want to be here when that moment happens because it will be a miracle. “It sounds wonderful,” I say, excitement rising within me. This is a chance I can’t let slip by. And if Lily came back to Fleur to take my place, then I wouldn’t feel so guilty for leaving.