“You can make decisions. Just because you can make these decisions,” Dad said with an element of calm my mother lacked, “doesn’t mean that they’re the right ones. That isn’t your fault. You don’t have all the information on Mr. Sherman. He has a reputation he may not have shared with you.”

“I’m sure there are many things about Van that I don’t know.” I turned toward him, seeing his gaze that I’d felt from my first word. “And I’m willing to take a lifetime to learn them.”

“Did he tell you that he’s now secured another five of the remaining fifteen percent of Wade shares?” Dad asked.

I turned to Van.

Without a word and from the expression on Van’s face, I knew what my father said was true. I wanted to question Van and learn the details, but I also refused to expose a possible kink in the security of our snow globe to my parents.

“You didn’t know, did you?” Dad asked.

“I didn’t,” I replied honestly. “However, I have Van’s word that my wishes will be upheld regarding Wade. I trust him and his word.”

“My father doesn’t,” Skylar said. “He sent me an interesting file on Mr. Thomas.”

The use of Van’s original last name had little effect on Van, and more on me. “I don’t care what your father said. He wanted to sell Wade. He was going to take control while we were on our honeymoon. By the time we returned, he could have the entire company liquidated.”

“That’s not what Dad was going to do,” Skylar said, coming closer. “The shares he had lined up were our wedding present. I knew about them, Jules. It was only a secret from you. Your parents knew. Mom and Dad wanted to give us overarching control. Our future would have been secure. Now, Sherman owns twenty-six percent—one more percent than the Butlers. Why would he do that?”

A wedding present?

Before I could reply, Van spoke to my father. “What is your concern, Mr. McGrath?”

“My concern is for my daughter.”

“Your daughter is in good hands, I assure you. What is your concern regarding Wade Pharmaceutical?”

30. Van

Van

“We want it to survive. My grandfather created—”

Mr. McGrath’s hand came up, silencing his wife. It was a welcome gesture, but one I was surprised she heeded. “For the record,” Julia’s father said, “I’m still concerned about Julia. She’s young and you’re...”

“I’m older,” I admitted. “I’m not concerned about Julia’s youth. She’s an amazingly quick study.”

Over the crackling of the fire, there was a collective inhale. Yes, I’d hit a chord and I would be happy to hit more. “What is your concern regarding Wade?” I asked again.

“The unknown is rattling the shareholders.”