Miles watched his brothers talk it out and felt a swell of pride grow in his chest. They were nothing like their father. Trent Wingate would have fought paying out until his last breath. He would never have had the grace to admit any level of failure. Maybe Wingate Enterprises stood a chance of being a better, more ethical employer under his twin brothers’ guidance than it ever had before.
There was a movement at the door to the office they’d been using, and all three men swiveled round.
“I can’t tell you how much it gladdens my heart to see all my boys working together like this,” Ava said as she glided gracefully into the office and perched against the edge of Miles’s desk.
“Well, don’t get too used to it, Mom. I have a business I’m very happy running back in Chicago.”
He smiled to take the sting out of his words, but he couldn’t help but feel the burr of irritation that she continued, in her not-so-subtle way, to try to lure him back into the family fold. It had been the same way every time he’d come home. As if she and his dad had believed he’d come back eventually and that he just needed to get his misguided burst of independence out of his system. Forget that his company was now worth several hundred million dollars and that he had investors and clientele stretching to every corner of the globe as well as a staff of thousands. Not to mention the fact he’d started his business up, all on his own, without their input or advice or financial backing. One day they’d see him as the success he knew himself to be. At least he hoped so.
Right now, he knew he’d had enough of the cloying atmosphere of the Wingate Enterprises head office. He wanted nothing more than to get back to the house, back to Chloe, and to take her on a long walk or horseback ride far from the house and his family obligations.
“Look, I’ve done all I can for the time being. I’ll get one of my IT security geeks to work on a quick fix for now, and have the team work on something for the entire system in the next couple of weeks.”
“And you’ll charge us accordingly,” Sebastian said with a half smile.
“Of course. No free rides,” Miles confirmed, quoting a phrase his father had used far too often while they were growing up.
Sebastian laughed and got up from his chair and clapped Miles on the shoulder. “Come on then, little brother. Let’s head home. Mom, are you finished for the day? Can we give you a ride back?”
“No, Keith is coming to meet me. We have some matters to discuss, but we’ll see you all at the barbecue tonight.”
“You’re still going ahead with the annual Fourth of July celebration tonight?” Miles asked.
“We may be in a state of flux, Miles, but we still have a responsibility to observe tradition. We’ve never canceled before, and we’re not about to start now.”
There was a vein of strength in Ava’s tone that told him that the world could be ending and she would still keep up appearances. He wasn’t sure if he admired her tenacity, or if he thought it more reminiscent of rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic. Either way, he wasn’t sure a showy display of wealth from the family was such a great idea right now.
“Well, before we go, let’s get you up to speed with what we’ve decided,” Sutton said before briefly outlining everything.
To her credit, Ava listened intently without interrupting. When Sutton was done, she nodded.
“Well, if you think that’s best, although it’s not what your father would have done,” she said softly.
“Mom, we’re in charge now. Dad and you have done great work building Wingate Enterprises to where it is today, but Sebastian and I are heading the corporation now. This is our decision and we both stand by it.”
Miles could hear the note of frustration in Sutton’s tone and wondered just how often their mom had voted the guys down on their decisions so far. She was an astute businesswoman and she’d guided their father for years, when he would allow himself to be guided, that was.
“I understand, Sutton. Look, before you take it to the legal team, how about I run it past Keith? Maybe we can talk about this some more tonight.”
A trickle of unease skittered down Miles’s spine. “Mom, I know I don’t have a pony in this race, but for now I think it’s best if we keep this decision between just the four of us until the offer is made to the workers who were hurt.”
Ava looked shocked. “Are you suggesting Keith is less than trustworthy? I’ll have you remember he is a valued and long-standing member of this company and he’s been stalwart at my side since your father died.”
“Even so, the evidence is right there. Someone with pretty high clearances tampered with the safety reports. Until we know who it is, nothing we’ve discussed here today should be shared with anyone. Am I clear?”
Miles held his breath. He’d never used that tone of voice with his mother before, but this was vitally important. No doubt Keith would be furious when he learned that major decisions were being made without his input, but he wasn’t the only senior management or adviser being kept out of the loop. Someone had to be responsible for the damage that had been systematically done to Wingate Enterprises. They couldn’t be careful enough until they had the information they needed to bring that someone to justice.
“I agree,” Sebastian said in support.
Sutton murmured the same.
“Well,” Ava said, her eyes bright with indignation. “I suppose I should consider myself fortunate that you’ve thought to include me in your findings.”
“Mom, don’t be like that,” Miles said.
“Don’t be like what? Don’t be hurt that a man we’ve trusted and included as family for longer than each of you has been alive is to be cut out of this? I don’t like it one bit, but I will concede to your directive. For now.”
“Thank you,” Miles rose from his chair and took his mom’s hands in his before leaning forward to kiss her on the cheek. “I’m sorry. I know Keith has been your rock since Dad died, but I know what I’m doing.”