Chapter Four
Sebastian
While attempting to stave off the throbbing behind my eyes, I pinch the bridge of my nose between my thumb and forefinger and lean back in my chair.
I’ve read the document on my desktop at least five times, and I still can’t concentrate enough to say what it’s about as my mind has been consumed by this morning’s events playing on repeat ever since Easton dropped me at the office. Each time I search through my memories, I hope to find some detail I might have missed about the girl, but I haven’t had any luck so far.
Has Easton found anything on her yet?
My gaze darts to my watch for the hundredth time today. I should have heard something by now. It’s been over five hours but still nothing.
“Sir, Mr. Woods is here—” Lauren’s voice cuts through the intercom in my office just as the door swings open.
Vincent strolls in with my assistant rushing in behind him. Lauren stops just inside the doorway and clears her throat. “I’m sorry, sir. I told Mr. Woods you were not to be disturbed.” She narrows her eyes at him, but Vincent ignores her, undoing his suit jacket before seating himself on the opposite side of my desk.
My jaw clenches when he picks up a folder from the pile on my desk and starts flicking through it.
“It’s fine. Thank you, Lauren.”
She leaves and closes the door with a soft click as I turn back to the man in front of me, straightening my shoulders.
Vincent chucks the folder back on my desk before glancing around the large corner office. The office that up until eight months ago was my father’s.
Floor-to-ceiling windows overlook the harbour with an amazing view of the Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge. The sun shines off the water, and in the distance, one of our cargo ships is coming into port.
I haven’t changed anything in here, yet it still doesn’t feel like my space, and I’m not convinced it ever will.
Rich timbers and leather furniture accent the space, and the only reason I decided to stay instead of keeping my old office is that I wanted to feel closer to him.
My father wasn’t the most open man, but he tried. He gave me a loving home, paid for my education and business degree, and taught me everything there is to know about this business, regardless of the fact I wasn’t biologically his son.
My eyes drift to the photograph sitting on the solid mahogany desk in front of me. My mum’s warm smile and kind eyes send a pang through my chest. It’s a constant reminder I wasn’t there for her at the time she needed me the most, but I refuse to move it.
I probably wouldn’t have been alive today if she hadn’t found me that night, and in return, I failed her. I shake the thoughts from my head, not wanting to lose focus.
“You seemed distracted in this morning’s meeting.” Vincent leans forward, resting his elbows on the desk enough that his stomach pushes against it.
He was my father’s business partner and is the vice president of his—my—company. They met at university, and when my father started his company, he brought Vincent into the fold.
He’s also Easton’s father.
“I’m fine. Nothing I can’t handle.”
He stares at me for a second, his dull brown eyes so different from Easton’s, assesses me before he relaxes his features and offers me a reassuring smile.
“You know I’m here to help if there’s anything you need. It’s completely understandable if this is too much for you. You’re still young and have much to learn about—”
“Thank you for the concern,” I cut him off. “But I’m more than capable of running this company. I know everything there is to know about Reed Shipping. I’ve been preparing for this job for half my life. There’s no one better suited for this position.”
Vincent’s lips press together into a tight smile. “Well, I’m happy to assist in any way. Colton wouldn’t want you to be alone in this.”
There’s no doubt Reed Shipping is mine. Everything passed to me when my father died. I’ve suspected Vincent thought he would’ve been named CEO, being the next highest ranking and the only other man who’s been here from the start, but the board honoured my father’s wishes by electing me into the position. Now, it seems as if he’s merely waiting for me to tell him I can’t hack it.
At twenty-nine, I know the ins and outs of everything to do with this business. I learnt from the best, and I’ll do my damndest to make my father proud.To prove I was worthy of everything he taught me.
He’s been grooming me for the position ever since I showed interest as a kid. Though I might have started off more interested in the big ships, it transformed into a passion and an ambition to follow in his footsteps as I got older. I’ll be in my grave before I let the company fall into the hands of Vincent Woods.
“If you’ll excuse me, I really need to finish this account,” I say, already done with this impromptu meeting.