His father paled.
“Don’t worry,” Daniel said. “I don’t want details or to know anything more. You're womanizing and the harm it caused my mother, our family and this business is over, Dad.”
Jonathan scoffed angrily. “Grow up, Daniel. This is life. This is what men do. In any case, you can’t just vote me out. I own the majority shares of Dufort Dynasty. It’s my name on this building and our hotels.”
No, it wasn’t what all men did. It wasn’t what he was going to do once he had Harper back in his arms. He had no interest in any other women. If she wouldn’t have him, he did not know what he’d do.
Go back to emotionless fucking.
No thanks.
She was it for him.
“The board voted,” he said, and there was dead silence as the two powerful Dufort men stared at each other.
Daniel had loved and respected his father all his life and while he was angry at him, he still felt a strong sense of disappointment that it had come to this.
Hell, Johnathan was willing to marry off one of his sons, or let the business pay out billions of dollars to pay off their blackmailer. It would have destroyed them.
All because he couldn’t keep his cock in his pants.
Worse, he’d not been honest with Daniel or made any effort to fix this. His promises and words had all been bullshit.
“Suzanne has spoken up about your sexual relationship in exchange for dropping charges against her. You have breached multiple company policies and put Dufort Hotels and our shareholders at risk,” Daniel finished. “Between the three of us, Fletcher, Hunter and I have the majority shareholding and vote.”
It had been a big day as all three of them cashed in their shares and funds to make this happen.
Jonathan’s eyes dropped.
“Well,” he said, “I see I have taught you well. In a way, I’m actually proud of you.”
“The money will be in your account in a few hours,” Daniel added. “You will retain ten percent shares, which gives you some voting rights and...hell, Dad, you know this shit. You taught me.”
Johnathan nodded and sent him a sad smile. Then let out a dry laugh.
“God. I never meant for it to come to this, but I felt cornered.”
Daniel nodded.
“You should have been honest with me.”
“Fuck, I know,” he said, shaking his head. “I am glad the business is in your hands. The three of you have always been close.”
Of course they had—all they’d had was each other. Their father had never been around unless he was teaching them the business, and he had done an excellent job at that.
Teaching them to be good men? That had yet to be seen.
Teaching them to be good husbands? No, but it didn’t mean the Dufort men couldn’t do things differently now.
“We had to be,” Daniel said, turning to the windows and the lights of Manhattan. “I am sorry, Dad. I want you to know that none of us wanted this, but you won’t change. You never did for Mom, or for us. Hell, you were willing to let me marry a woman I didn’t even like, let alone love.”
“You know nothing about love, son.”
Daniel turned and stared coldly at his father.
“No, Dad, you know nothing about love.” He dropped his glass on his desk, picked up his laptop and wallet, then walked to the door, holding it open. He’d had enough. “I’ll see you out.”
Daniel was clear on his priorities now. The Dufort Dynasty was in his hands, and he would let no one destroy it.