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There wasn’t a strategy when it came to the lodge, but I’ll let it ride since I’d rather this meeting end sooner than later.

“We could argue motives all day, gentlemen. I, however, am thrilled to see this side of you, Preston. I needed to see you step up, and this was a great move.”

“His engagement was not a move he made to benefit the company. Sure, it will be an asset, but that’s not why he did it.”

Let it go, Marcus. For fuck’s sake.

“Either way, the board wanted to see a more serious side of Mr. King, and now they have it,” Anthony adds quickly. He’s just as annoyed as I am.

My father winks at me, and I try not to groan. He’s definitely more excited about the fact that Grace and I are engaged than the fact that this will make me look more committed in the board’s eyes.

Guilt settles in my gut for a split moment.

“She does know what’s expected of her, correct?” Marcus can’t take a hint.

“She won’t be a part of the business, so what is and isn’t required of her is not of importance,” I say.

Marcus tosses his hands up.

I don’t know what Marcus is annoyed about now, but I’m not about to agree to anything on Grace’s behalf. And if he is referring to the fact that almost every wife on the board plays the role of perfect wife who dotes on their perfect husband and does anything and everything he tells her to do, fuck that.

Grace and I will be different. Married or not, I’m going to create a new image, one that does not make my wife the puppet these men believe spouses should be. My wife will attend events because she wants to be at my side, not because it’s a fucking requirement of being a board member

Hell, my mom doesn’t attend most events, and no one bats an eye. I’d love to see them argue with my father. Then again, I’d also love to see one of them follow his lead, but they never do.

“That is not how business is run,” Marcus argues, and my father clears his throat loudly, gaining everyone’s attention.

“I think this meeting has gotten off topic. Preston, will we see you at the charity event this weekend?” my father asks, and every head turns to the screen to look at me.

I nod. “I’ll be there.”

“And what about your fiancée?” Marcus asks.

“Please tell Grace we would love for her to attend, but we understand the new role she has with the lodge. Business does, unfortunately, come first in some cases,” Anthony adds before Marcus can open his mouth again.

“I couldn’t agree more,” my father says, and Marcus lets out a huff.

“See you this weekend,” I say, and close my laptop as they all repeat the same goodbye.

I rub a hand over my face, relieved the hour-long meeting is finally over.

This is going to work.

It will.

It has to.

As soon as I’m in charge, Marcus is the first to go. The rest will fall into place, and King Enterprises will return to its roots.

My father didn’t screw up the company, but it grew faster than he projected, and the people he brought in don’t care for it the way he does. The way I do. I’m going to return it to what my father wanted all along.

I stand slowly and move to the fridge to find something to eat. Grace’s coffee from this morning is still sitting next to the pot.

She forgot it.

I glance at the door as if she’s going to walk through to grab it, but I know she won’t.

She’s probably moved on to the next task of the day and hasn’t even noticed she forgot it.