CHAPTER 167: NOT TAKING IT BACK (1)

Nick’s POV

Damn, Saturday can’t come fast enough. I just want to see Georgia already. Maybe I should go to her today?

The thought makes me grin, but then I remember... Ella and Vicky are with her. If I show up uninvited, Vicky will skin me alive for ruining their girls’ bonding time.

Alright, bad idea. I’ll just head home, rest, maybe pour myself a drink, and count the hours until Saturday. I’ll just practice on my own at home since Ollie and Liam are busy too, so we can’t practice together for the coming event.

I was about to pack up my things when my phone buzzed. My father’s name flashed on the screen.

"Hey, Dad. What’s up?" I answered, my voice a little too cheerful for someone eager to clock out early.

[I’m near your office. Let’s have dinner at the Italian restaurant in the next building,] he said, his tone leaving no room for refusal.

I exhaled silently. So much for going home early.

"Alright, I’ll just grab my stuff. See you there," I replied. Free dinner wasn’t exactly a curse... but with my father, dinner always came with strings attached.

When I walked into the restaurant, Dad was already there, sitting straight like he owned the place, which, knowing him, wouldn’t surprise me. I leaned down, gave him a quick hug, and slid into the chair across from him.

"How’s work?" he asked casually, though I knew it wasn’t just small talk. My father had eyes and ears in every corner of the company. He probably already had a full report on my day before I even stepped through the door. Still, I didn’t mind—he was the chairman, and he had every right to know.

"I already ordered your favorite seafood marinara," he added.

"It’s going great," I said with a grin. "The down payment for the first ten ships has been cleared, and production starts next week. Vicky also pitched the idea of installing a hydroponics system onboard, so the crew can have fresh vegetables during long voyages. She’s already partnered with a supplier and mapped out the entire plan." I leaned back, proud of my little sister. "She’s really smart."

Dad’s eyes softened with approval, that look he only gave when one of us was adding bricks to the empire he built.

"That’s good. I heard Liam and Vicky also expanded their own ventures with that supplier. Must be quite a company if both of them are willing to partner with her."

Something in his tone made me pause. I narrowed my eyes at him. "You know the owner’s a woman?"

He opened his mouth, but paused when the waiter arrived with the food.

The corner of his mouth curved into a smirk, and I knew instantly—he’d already done his homework. "Of course. I had to make sure her company was qualified enough to work with us."

Figures. My father never left things to chance. Still, curiosity nudged at me. "So... what did you find out?"

He leaned back, folding his arms with the kind of pride reserved for someone who’d uncovered a hidden gem.

"I found out she’s an extraordinary woman. Built her company from scratch, from the ground up. Liam told me her garden is a masterpiece, an art. I should see it myself one of these days. And if I’m not mistaken," his smile widened knowingly, "Liam might be interested in her. She’s single too."

That last part actually made me laugh, and before I realized it, I was smiling too. Dad rarely gave genuine compliments, but when he did, you knew it meant something.

Among the three of us, Liam’s the one who doesn’t really bother with women. Unlike me and Reagan, he’d rather bury himself in books and research than go out chasing skirts.

He’s an introvert through and through. His social life is basically me dragging him out or the occasional night with his close circle of guy friends.

"So... would you be in favor of that businesswoman, in case Liam actually likes her?" I asked, genuinely curious about what Dad thought of Ella.

Truthfully, I liked the idea. Not just because Ella was Georgia’s best friend, but because I honestly believed she’d be good for my brother. She had the kind of grounding presence Liam needed.

"In favor?" Dad’s brows lifted in mock offense. "I’d urge him to date her. I’d force him if I have to. I already told him to invite her to our event and introduce her to me properly. He said Vicky beat him to it—apparently, she’s already on the guest list. Still, she’ll be coming, whether as Vicky’s guest or Liam’s, doesn’t really matter as long as she’s there." He smirked. "Now I just hope she’ll like Liam back. Maybe I should set them up, what do you think?"

I couldn’t help but laugh at that. "You’re really desperate for your kids to get married, huh?"

"You know that I am," Dad shot back, his tone half-serious, half-teasing. "All my friends are busy bragging about their grandkids, while mine... My brilliant, successful children aren’t even married yet. The hell do I care about marriage at this point? Just give me a grandkid. I don’t care if you ever walk down the aisle or not."

I leaned back, grinning, maybe a little too mischievous. "I told you, I’ll give you one. Soon."

Except the way Dad’s smile dropped told me I’d hit a nerve. My humor must’ve been offline tonight.

"Nicholas. Stop seeing Georgia. Forget about her and make up with Sarah," Dad said, his tone heavy, like it was a command rather than advice.

I clenched my jaw. My fork paused halfway to my mouth. Don’t snap. Not here. Not now.

"Let’s drop this subject before I lose my appetite," I muttered, my voice tighter than I intended. I could feel the edge of rudeness clawing at me, but I forced myself to hold back. As long as he didn’t drag this further, I’d let it go.

But Dad didn’t. Of course, he didn’t.

He let out a long, deliberate sigh. "I don’t want to see her at the event. Sarah and her parents will be there. Even the Davises will be there. Don’t even think about inviting Georgia. Don’t humiliate me, Nicholas."

That was it. I set my fork down with a calmness I didn’t feel. "Too late," I said flatly. "I already invited her, and I am not taking it back."

*BANG!*

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Thank you for the Golden Tickets!

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