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conspicuous, although his desire for her didn t decrease any.
Before you get started would you like something to drink?
He glanced up and met her gaze, surprised she would offer him anything. Yes, please.
She left the room and that gave him a few moments to think. In a way it was a strange twist of
fate that had brought him and Cassie together. Their fathers friendship had extended from
college to death and unless he cleared up this issue between them, he and Cassie could very
well become bitter enemies. He didn t want that and was unwilling to accept it as an option.
She returned moments later with two glasses of wine, one for him and the other for herself.
Instead of handing him his wineglass directly, she placed it on the table beside him.
Evidently, she had no intention of them touching in any way. He picked up his glass and took
a sip, regretting he was responsible for bringing their relationship to such a sorrowful state.
You wanted to talk.
Her words reminded him of why she was there, not to mention the distinct chill in the air. He
took another sip of his wine and then he began speaking. As you know, the Garrisons didn t
know about your existence until the reading of John s will. I m not going to say that no one
might have suspected he was involved in an affair with someone, but I think I can truthfully
say that no one was aware that a child had resulted from that affair. You were quite a surprise
to everyone.
When she didn t make any comment or show any expression on her face, he continued. But
what came as an even bigger surprise was the fact that John left you controlling interest to
share with Parker. That was definitely a shocker to everyone, especially Parker, who is the
oldest and probably the most ambitious of John s sons. It was assumed, as well as understood,
that if anything ever happened to John, Parker would get the majority share of controlling
interest. Such a move was only right since John had turned the running of Garrison over to
Parker on his thirty-first birthday. And Parker has done an outstanding job since then.
Therefore, I hope you can understand why he was not only hurt and confused, but also
extremely upset.
He could tell by the look on Cassie s face that she didn t understand anything, or that
stubborn mind of hers was refusing to let her. As I told you earlier, he continued, my
father is the one who drew up John s will, so I didn t know anything about you until I read
over the document a few days before I was to present the will to the family. Once I discovered
the truth, I knew the reading of it wouldn t be pretty.
He took a deep breath and proceeded on. Pursuing normal legal action in this case, we took
moves to contest the will but found it airtight. And
I guess Parker smartened up and thought twice about pushing for a DNA test, as well, she
interrupted in a curt tone.
Brandon nodded. Yes, I advised him that nothing would be gained from it. John claimed you
as his child and that was that. Besides, there was no reason to really believe that you weren t.
You and Parker made contact and he offered to buy out your share of the controlling interest.
You turned him down.
And that should have been the end of it, she snapped.
Brandon couldn t help the smile that touched the corners of his lips. Yes, possibly. But that s
where you and Parker are alike in some respect.
At the lifting of her dark, arched brow, he explained. You re both extremely stubborn.
She narrowed her eyes at him. That s your opinion.
He decided not to waste time arguing with her by telling her that was what he knew,
especially after spending time with her. Although she and Parker had never officially met, the
prime reason they didn t get along was because they were similar in a lot of ways. Besides
being stubborn, both were ambitious and driven to succeed. Apparently John had recognized
that quality in the both of them and felt together they would do a good job by continuing the
empire he d created.
I m waiting, Brandon.
He glanced over at Cassie and saw her frowning in irritation. I want to apologize for
assuming a lot of incorrect things about you, Cassie, and I hope you will find it in your heart
to forgive me.
Cassie wasn t ready to say whether she would or would not forgive him. At the moment she
was close to doing the latter. However, she was curious about something. And just what did
you assume about me?
Brandon inhaled before speaking. Before answering that, I need to say that when you
decided to be a force to reckon with by not responding to my firm s letters or returning any
more of Parker s phone calls, it was decided that I should come and meet with you and make
you the offer in person. It was also decided that I should first come and see if I could dig up
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