Chapter 293: What Runs in the Family
** Harper **
Those words gave Harper an odd feeling.
Perhaps she should be flattered that someone like Ronald Sterling was giving her a peace offering, finding her adequate to enter the exclusive social circle that would otherwise be reluctant to welcome her. Or perhaps she should be thrilled that her boyfriend’s difficult father was finally giving them his blessing, changing his mind on those manipulative games and cold wars with his son.
But ... what she felt instead was only a dull ache of sorrow for Eli. What kind of position was his father in to ask this of her? As a husband who betrayed his wife — wives — he was in no place to speak of loyalty. As a father who neglected his son during the hardest years of a child’s youth, and then tried to show "care" by meddling incessantly in an adult’s life, he had long missed the chance to act like a guardian angel. Even if he was asking for her promises out of good intention ... it still didn’t feel right.
Because to make that promise to him would mean to forgive him, and only Eli had the right to make that decision.
So Harper smiled instead. "He is already at the first and foremost place in my heart, Mr. Sterling. And I know he will stay there, because that’s where home is for both of us. I don’t think we need oaths or promises — especially not to anyone else — for that to last."
The man’s gaze turned scrutinizing, yet she continued. "However, I do agree a hundred percent with what you said about Eli deserving the best. If I may offer a small suggestion ... I believe he will take over your company’s legacy much more willingly, if you actually give up the control you still have through all the executive members who only follow your orders. Like you said, Eli has a talent, but the power games that he hates might kill it before he gets the chance to put it to use."
She met Ronald Sterling’s eyes with another smile. To her, this was what caring about someone really meant — to consider their feelings, to respect their decisions. She could only hope that the man in front of her would understand that someday.
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