“He won’t be here. I’ve taken over for him. I’d rather spearhead it myself.”

He nods but doesn’t say anything more.

“Should we walk the first floor? I’ve been told to avoid the elevators, but the stairs are just there. Once we finish down here, we can go up and look at the second story as well.”

Wilson immediately prepares himself to take notes, falling in step behind us.

As we walk and I point out features of the building to my father, he asks me about various work updates, starting with a dinner I attended last night then moving on to last month’s numbers from one of our jewelry brands. The topics stay neutral until he brings up the betrothal.

“I’ve been assured the engagement announcements will run tomorrow morning. Fay Davenport is pleased.”

“I don’t see the rush.”

After all, I won’t be going through with it.

“Heirs don’t grow on trees, Emmett.”

“Should I amuse you by confirming that I will not, under any circumstances, entertain this charade?”

“You will,” he says calmly.

“Or what? My position in the company? My trust? Gone?”

“Don’t be so dramatic. You act as if I’m putting you up against real hardship. I was there in Italy, remember? I saw the girl. She’s beautiful, agreeable, and more than you could ask for in a wife. Refined, intelligent, or so I hear, and she comes from good stock. She’s everything I had in mind for you.”

“Et comment devrais-je la baiser?”

And how should I fuck her?

He stops walking. “Excuse me?”

“You seem to have a hand in everything else, so tell me.”

“You’ll hold your tongue. I expect you to be grateful for what I’ve given you.”

“I won’t do it.”

“You will,” he says, spitting venom.

Then, my father’s phone rings, and Wilson clears his throat before performing the uncomfortable task of reminding us that the architects will arrive soon. Just like that, it’s business as usual once again. I’m sure my father falsely assumes I’m capitulating to his demands. I’m not.

The next morning, I wake up to a media firestorm as my father makes good on his promise to share news of the engagement. First the story breaks in the London Times and Le Figaro, then The New York Times. From there, it’s unstoppable. Every major outlet runs wild with the news.

It’s Pandora’s box.

My father’s team releases a congratulatory confirmation statement later in the morning.

Fay Davenport follows suit.

In terms of getting myself out of this debacle, there is no option I haven’t considered. If I go rogue and try to use a blog or independent media company to share my side of the story and refute the announcement, it will look like there is a break in rank at GHV. The board will hate it and the stockholders will see it as an act of rebellion. Stock prices will falter as a result. I’m not willing to go down that road. Public arguments do nothing but discredit our unity within the company and weaken our position in the global market.