“I wish I could.” Charles moved past him and walked into his office. “You’re not going to say a damn thing to anyone except to tell Aunt Roberta tomorrow night that your marriage is a sham, just like your parents’ was.”

Had Charles lost his damn mind? “My parents’ marriage was a sham? They were married for thirty years. I know how it started, but I also know how it ended.”

“They only stayed married because of you. They didn’t love each other any more than Sylvie loves you. She’s going to leave you.”

“I think I’ll work hard to make sure she doesn’t.”

Charles stared at him for a moment. “You actually care about her, don’t you? I wouldn’t call it love because you have no concept of love.”

“And I suppose you do?”

“Not at all,” Charles agreed. “We’re very similar, Rene. You can’t see it, and I’m not going to try to make you see it. You think you’re so high above everyone else.”

It was the second time in less than five minutes he’d been accused of that particular sin. “I assure you I don’t think I’m higher than anyone else. If you would like to sell my mother the home she’s lived in most of her life, I’ll let you take over the CEO job and you can deal with everyone. You can see how high-and-mighty you feel.”

Charles waved him off. “I’ll have to pass. I’ll have both, and I think perhaps you’ll be the one selling your stock to me, for a reduced price, of course.”

“Why the hell would I do that?”

“Because if you don’t, I’m going to ruin Sylvie’s career.”

He stopped, his rage threatening to boil over. “Don’t you even say her name.”

Charles’s mouth turned up in an arrogant smirk. “I have her, Rene. I know some people in DC, and I can prove she had an affair with a married congressman she was working for. There are several people who are willing to talk.”

“She wouldn’t.” He knew his wife. If something happened between her and a married man, then she either hadn’t known he was married or she’d been forced.

“She did.” Charles seemed to calm, as though he knew he had Rene in a corner. “How is that going to play down here in Louisiana? I’ve also been talking to some people about running against her in the next election.”

“You mean you’ve been talking about paying someone to run against her,” Rene surmised.