Annoyance tightened his gut into stone, but Sebastian decided to play dumb and see just how much she’d told his mother. “She told you she quit?”
“She told me she had too much to drink while celebrating her birthday and threw herself at you but that you were too professional to take advantage of her.” Susan’s eyes narrowed. “That’s a lot of bull, isn’t it?”
“I’m not going to discuss it.”
“Is that why she’s quitting?”
“No.”
“Sebastian, I don’t know what to say.” And yet she continued talking. “This isn’t like you.”
On that they both agreed. “I’m still not discussing this with you.”
His mother kept going as if he’d never spoken. “She has a boyfriend. Did you think for one minute how much trouble this will create between them?”
“They broke up.”
“So, she was on the rebound.” His mother tried for stern, but something sparkled in her eyes. “Oh, Sebastian. How could you take advantage of her in such a vulnerable state?”
He could clear his name by revealing that Missy had been the one to proposition him, but he refused to defend himself at the risk of her reputation.
Before he could answer, his mother changed her line of questioning. “What are you going to do about Kaitlyn?”
There was nothing to do about Kaitlyn. His mother had it in her head that he was involved with her. That couldn’t be further from the truth. They were casually involved, emphasis on casual.
Sure, marriage to Kaitlyn made sense in a lot of ways. They attended the same charity galas and came from similar backgrounds. She would fit seamlessly into his life. But most important, he needed someone that soothed his spirit, not aggravated it. And Kaitlyn possessed a tranquil quality, rare among women. She’d make an ideal wife.
That made him question why, when he pictured a woman living in his home and sharing his bed, he imagined her with red hair.
“Kaitlyn and I are friends, Mother. Nothing more.” Tired of being on the defensive, Sebastian changed topics. “Why are you and Dad here?”
His mother held his gaze for a long moment before answering. “He regrets retiring and wants to return to work.”
Annoyance kicked Sebastian in the temple. A sharp pulse began in his head. “As CEO?”
“He said no. He claims he wants to return part time so he has something to occupy him besides golf.”
>
And once he came back to the company, Brandon would undermine Sebastian at every turn until he got fed up and stepped down. Bile rose in his throat. He should have known his father would pull something like this.
“You need to talk him out of it.” His mother put her hand on his arm. Her blue eyes widened with concern. “I almost lost him a year ago. He promised me we’d travel and make up for all the years he wasn’t around.”
Brandon’s twelve-year affair with Nathan’s mother had taken a severe toll on his wife. Sebastian had often wondered what bargain his parents had made that had kept them together and had convinced his mother to raise her husband’s illegitimate son.
“As much as it benefits both of us for Dad to stay far away from Case Consolidated Holdings,” Sebastian said, “I’m not sure how I’m supposed to stop him from returning to work.”
“Talk to him. Make him understand that you’re doing a wonderful job running the company.”
His mother’s optimism made Sebastian shake his head. Her husband rarely thought about anyone’s needs besides his own unless forced to do so.
“He showed up for the leadership summit, and I’m sure he intends for it to appear as if he’s still in charge. He took Lucas Smythe golfing and probably spent the entire round badmouthing my leadership abilities. You don’t seriously believe anything I say will sway him, do you?”
Sebastian refused to battle his father this week in front of all the executives.
“Do what you can.”
With those words, his mother left to shower and change for their lunch. Sebastian was staring at the Vegas strip when Missy emerged from her room.