“We’re not struggling. And it wasn’t just trance tabs.”
“Is that so?”
“We’re doing fine. I’ve shuttered a few non-productive businesses recently. I’ve restructured a bit of debt. We just won several new contracts. We’ll be back to our former glory in no time. With a new heir. Very soon.” The chairwoman’s eyes narrowed into slits.
“Of course you and I understand business, but young boys rarely do. If Simon didn’t understand the state of the compound, the reason why your purse had closed, he might have taken matters into his own hands. Highborn schools can be just as rough on declining families as they are on new money. You’d know about that, wouldn’t you, chairwoman?”
“Your backhanded slaps are tedious, Chief Randolph.”
“My apologies,” Lila said, braving her friend’s irritated glances. “I only meant to say that perhaps the boy wanted money for new clothes, new shoes, perhaps a new designer belt to prove his worth to his friends.”
“I gave that boy everything that he wanted. How dare you come in here implying otherwise. We were and are doing fine. He had no reason to betray his family like that.”
“Betray? That’s a strong word, isn’t it, chairwoman?”
“No. I don’t think it is.”
“Mother, even if he did sell drugs in that club, it was just—”
“Be quiet, slave. No one asked you to speak.”
Alex sucked in her breath. To her credit, she refused to stare at the floor again.
Lila studied the chairwoman’s unblinking face and her still-tapping thumb. “Bringing Alex to visit wasn’t the only reason why I stopped by. My Aunt Georgina has been thinking of procuring a new software contract, something to streamline her growing bridal empire. The poorer classes do so love their weddings. If you had time for a meeting next month, I’d like to set something up. I can’t guarantee that you’d win the contract, but I’ll put in a good word for you during the—”
“We don’t do brides.”
“Really? I suspect that if I were in your shoes and it would save my family, then I’d do the rightful king of Germany.”
“Lila!” Alex shouted, eyes wide.
Her name echoed in the small room, spurring the chairwoman’s burning gaze. The thumb kept tapping.
“I’m sorry. That came out wrong.” Lila smirked. “I just meant that no matter what state the Randolphs might be in, we’d never turn down an opportunity to make money if there was enough money to be had in a deal.”
“We don’t need any new deals.”
“Is that true? Judging by the state of this compound, I’m under the impression that you do. In fact, you seem desperate for them.”
“Mother, take the meeting,” Alex pleaded. “You obviously need the—”
The chairwoman’s head swiveled. “I told you to be quiet, slave. If you need an occupation, then you can join Oskar in the restrooms. We can always find toilets for our slaves to clean.”
“Yes, I’m certain it takes all their effort to wade through your family’s shit.” Lila smiled. “I’ll ask you one more time. Would you like a meeting with Aunt Georgina or not?”
“No.”
“I must confess I’m surprised by your answer. It was Simon who asked about possible deals between our families. He mentioned that he couldn’t please you with the deals he helped bring in. They were never the right terms or with the right sort of families. He wanted to discharge his duty to the family by bringing you a deal worthy of the highborn. He said you needed the money for something important.”
Chairwoman Randolph’s thumb stopped twitching. “Simon is a child. Children make mistakes.”
“They certainly do. With that understanding, I have to wonder why you aren’t forgiving your son for his evening of stupidity. He is a child, after all, and a mistake is just a mistake. A mistake is forgiven.”
Chairwoman Wilson stood up and pointed at the door. “That will be all, Chief Randolph. My lunch is waiting.”
Lila did not move from her chair. “Simon still loves you. He cried while talking about you.”
“I said that will be all.” Strands of hair fell into the chairwoman’s eyes. She looked the part of an ancient oracle, those long-dead queens, shouting curses at the raiders circling their town, boasting that their gods would protect them from harm even when they knew they had no hope. “Get out, or I shall have Patrick carry you all the way to the gate.”