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We hugged goodbye, made plans to get together soon, and I made my way back to Christian’s house with my mind already shifting to what my evening would be like with him.

I smiled after I parked the car in the garage. A girl could get used to handling that kind of speed. Living in New York, I typically had a driver. I only owned one vehicle, which was boring in comparison to Christian’s Aston Martin. I was wondering if I could talk him into letting me buy it. I could certainly afford it, but based on the way he barely wanted to hand it over to me temporarily, I had a feeling it had more to do with the car than the cost.

Men and their toys.

I rolled my eyes, smiling as I entered the hallway that would take me to the kitchen but my phone distracted me from my thoughts about Christian. When I noticed it was Alex calling, I cringed and answered with an apology.

“Hey, sorry. I was going to call you as soon as I got home. I’ve been?—”

“You need to get your ass back here to New York, Scot. Our father is trying to shut you down.”

My steps faltered but not just because of what Alex said. The sight of the man standing in the hallway with his eyes tracking my every move would be enough to make any woman trip over her own feet.

Shit, he was too damn sexy. The minute he noticed the distress clearly on my face, Christian’s handsome features twisted in concern, but I had to focus on Alex.

“What do you mean he’s trying to shut me down?”

“He called for an emergency board meeting.”

“A board meeting? What, why?”

"Official agenda says 'Review of Unauthorized Use of Whitney Name and Resources.' Valerie called in a panic last night. He specifically mentioned your Crescent Falls project."

I shut my eyes and tried to process this bullshit. "How did he find out?"

"No idea, but he's furious. Claims you're undermining Whitney International's planning and creating brand confusion."

"That's bullshit, Alex. I'm using my own money and my own team. The only Whitney involved is me. The property isn't even in a market Whitney International cares about."

"You know that's not the point. He thinks any Whitney development is automatically his business." Alex sighed. "I'll do what I can but prepare for a fight. He's really fucking pissed."

"I'm not backing down on this. Promise me you’re on my side."

"Didn't think you would. Just be ready, and yes, I’m on your side. I have to go. Let me know when you touch down. Love you, Scot.”

“Love you too.”

My father's interference was predictable but still infuriating. Gerald Whitney thought he controlled everything, including his children's lives.

I had intentionally kept this project separate just for that reason. I knew once my father discovered my plans, he would either try to take over or shut it down.

“What’s wrong?”

Before I could respond to Christian, my phone was vibrating with a text, so I held my hand up, asking him to give me a minute.

James: Whitney International legal department is asking for project docs for the board review. Instructions?

Me: Dad is moving faster than I expected.

Me: No response until I give direct approval. Forward any new communications to me.

"Just family stuff."

"Family stuff tends to affect everything. What’s that about a board meeting?"

“My father is trying to shut down what I’m doing here. He called an emergency board meeting to force me out of this deal."

“Out of the deal or away from me?”