Page 23 of Rival Hearts

Dad chuckled and shook his head.

“It’s a lot of pressure, that’s all. We assured the investors that we’re a niche company and that the activists will likely target the industry giants.”

Dad studied me. “You don’t sound convinced about that fact.”

“I’m not.” I sighed. “I’m worried that it won’t work out that way. I cantellthem that I don’t think anything will come of it, but a yacht is a yacht. How we make them won’t changethatthey’re being made, and the truth is it might screw us over at some point.”

“How do you figure that?”

“Well, even the most environmentally friendly yachts still have emissions, which means that no matter which way we look at it, there will be something for them to latch onto. And the public opinion is a big one—we might be niche, like we told them, but if we fall under the umbrella of superyachts and we’reselling opulence, then we still fall under the broader concept of conspicuous consumption.”

Dad nodded slowly. “I see where you’re coming from. We might even be lumped under the same net as those who really fuck it up because we’re in the same business.”

“Right, again affecting public perception.” I scrubbed my hand down my face. “That’s exactly what I’m worried about. We have a lot on the line here. We’re doing well, but public opinion can change that very quickly, and in the end, there’s a lot of stigma surrounding opulence.”

“It’s ridiculous,” Dad said and threw back the rest of his whiskey, blowing out a heavy sigh through his nose. “Just because we have money doesn’t mean we cut corners to get it.”

That was exactly how I felt about it, too. We’d been brought into a life of privilege, and I would always be grateful for that. Money wasn’t something I took for granted, and our whole family—even my mom—had worked our fingers to the bone to get where we were.

But the rest of the world didn’t always see it that way. It was so easy to paint us in a bad light just because we didn’t want for anything. We had everything money could buy.

Dad stood and walked to the spot I’d found him in at the window. He ran his fingers over his beard while he looked out over the city.

“What do you propose we do about this?” He turned a little and looked at me over his shoulder.

“I don’t know yet. We have to dosomething. We can’t just let this slide. I want to look into our environmental responsibility, balance it out with profitability. Whatever we do, it can’t be behind the scenes now. Usually, we don’t show the rest of the world how we do things because, quite frankly, it’s none of their business, but we’re going to have to be more transparent if wedon’t want someone to start pointing fingers just because of the market we’re in.”

Dad continued to stroke his beard before he smiled.

“I like the way you think, Alex. You’re looking at it from a different angle. That’s what good business is about.”

I couldn’t help but beam inwardly at the compliment. There was nothing more rewarding than my dad being proud of me when I’d taken over a company he’d started.

“I’m just worried about what it will mean for the investors,” I added.

“What do you mean?”

“Not everyone likes the idea of being transparent. It has a lot of downsides.” I pinched the bridge of my nose and drained my whiskey glass. I was tempted to get up and pour another, but drowning my sorrows never saved a company.

“I’m sure it will be fine. They’ll recognize what you’re trying to do. Your investors all have good heads on their shoulders.”

Dad checked his watch. “I should go. I have a few things to take care of and I’m taking your mother out tonight.”

I smiled. “You’re adorable.”

Dad rolled his eyes. “Happy wife, happy life.”

I laughed. “I know that’s not what this is. You’re head-over-heels in love with her.”

“As I should be,” Dad said and fastened his blazer button. “She’s everything. She has been since the day I met her. Let me know if there’s anything you need from me. And keep me posted.”

“I will.” I stood, too, so I could see him off.

Dad put a hand on my shoulder. “Your concerns are valid, son. But nothing has happened yet. It’s good to be prepared, but you don’t always have to expect the worst.”

“It’s better than being disappointed,” I suggested.

Dad shrugged. “I think there are different ways of looking at it. Just remember, no matter what… this is just a company. A business. It doesn’t define you.”