Chapter 11 Ryder
Ryder
“I’m sorry to hear your father isn’t well,” Racheal Marcelle says to me in a cloud of perfume. I’m sitting on a white leather couch with an iconic view of the Vancouver skyline behind me on the popular morning news channel.
I nod, clasping my hands over my knee. My foot is tapping, and when I notice it, I stop. “Thank you. It’s been a very stressful time for my family.”
“That is understandable, and your brother, Miles Alexander, he’s also endured some challenges.” The woman in the red dress comments when her costar, Eric Patel, gives me a compassionate look, sitting in his black suit next to her.
“He has. It’s been a stressful few years for my family. And we would all agree that it’s our loyal clientele who keep us going. We are so grateful for the support of all our customers.”
“The successful Lotus Club restaurant chain is very important to you. However, I understand the Alexanders’ real estate holdings are your family’s biggest asset.
It is an impressive portfolio, and you have successful family offices that manage billions in finances.
So with all of this success, why focus on the restaurant chain? ”
I clear my throat. “Well, it’s a family business passed down through generations.
My father started the oyster farms years ago, and my brother has taken on that farm-to-table passion.
The family offices and the real estate portfolio may hold the highest equities in the Alexander umbrella, but my family has prided itself on the food franchise that has become a household name. ”
“You could say that the Lotus Club has shaped the culture of Vancouver and grown immensely with an unparalleled reputation for sustainable and sophisticated cuisine. You now have, what, over one hundred franchises in North America? And they have some of the best ratings in the food industry.”
“Yes.”
“So, with all this success and your father’s illness, why resign from the CEO of the Lotus Club companies? Would you like to shed some light on your decision?”
I clear my throat, nodding. “I’ve decided to step away from the customer service end of the business and focus on the aspects of the business that I’m most passionate about.
When my father became ill, my position as CEO was meant to be temporary.
But since his condition has persisted, we’ve found someone more permanent. ”
“Your brother, Miles, the recluse. You believe he is better suited for the challenge?”
“I do. He’s always loved the restaurant industry, and his true passion is farm-to-table.
People like to talk and call him a recluse, but he loves the hands-on aspect of our farm-to-table philosophy.
He also has an MBA in business and understands the Lotus Club’s mandate better than anyone other than my father. ”
“You must think highly of him.”
“I do. He’s one of the best people I know. Even if he can be a grump.”
“He’s a grump?” Rachael cocks a brow, and Charlie glares at me from across the room. It’s my cue to pull back.
“He likes to hide his massive heart under his growly exterior. No one has a heart as big as my brother. And he won’t be working alone.
We’ve recruited an exceptional PR assistant for him from Los Angeles to help get him out of his shell.
They will make the perfect team. Her name is Charlie Gibbons.
She is the best in public relations and a close family friend. We trust her with our lives.”
“Seems you think very highly of her as well.”
“Hell, I’d marry her if I could.” I catch Charlie’s shocked gaze from across the room. She will kill me for what I’ve done, but she can’t say no to the job now and can think of it as a small payback for what she’s done. However, nothing could compare to keeping my son from me.
“I’m sure that would make a lot of women jealous.” The two reporters exchange looks. They’re obviously happy about the way this interview is going, and that I’m giving them more juice than they bargained for.
“So, Ryder, back to you. You said there’s another focus calling you in the family empire. Care to tell us more about that?”
“Of course, I’ll be spearheading the initiative to take the Alexander chain of companies green. It is my mandate that they will be entirely green and plastic-free by the last quarter of next year.”
“Wow, that’s ambitious. And noble.”
“Well, I’m determined to make it happen. It’s a dream of mine, and I had a challenging moment recently when I realized I needed to make some changes. With my father’s fading and my taking on the CEO position of the restaurant chain unprepared, I’ve made some mistakes.”
She frowns. “Like?”
I laugh. “Ah, it’s rather embarrassing.” I drag a hand through my hair.
“We’re all friends here.” Eric smiles.
“Okay…” I sigh, hot in the cheeks. Here goes.
“I let my passion for the environment and political opinions meddle with my professional standards. It was a weak moment. I’d just found out how severe my father’s condition was.
A political figure who I strongly disagreed with their…
how do I say, misrepresentations on environmental policy?
He visited one of the Lotus Club locations recently. ”
“And you, what? Gave them a piece of your mind?” Rachelle leans forward, her brows pinching as she zones in on me.
I sigh. “Not exactly. I rimmed his glass with a dragon’s breath pepper, and someone caught me on film.”
“Wow. Aren’t those one of the hottest peppers in the world?”
Eric raises a brow, and Racheal leans back and says, “I wouldn’t want to get on your bad side.”
“I don’t blame you, and yes, they are. But I never served the customer the drink. It was just a humorless joke. I… would never harm a customer. Anyway, it wasn’t my best moment, but it led me to realize where my passions remain.”
“With the environment.” Rachel sighs.
“Yes.”
“Well, we’re glad you figured it out. It takes courage to admit your mistakes,” she says, and my mind wanders. If only she knew the mistakes I’ve made. My deepest regret is staring at me with relief in her cobalt eyes.
“We wish you all the best,” Eric says. “Thank you for coming on our show today. It was a pleasure to hear from one of Vancouver’s most successful entrepreneurs. We look forward to seeing what comes of your green initiative. If only more corporations would join you.”
The furious tension in my chest releases some. This is almost over. I smile past the emotions clawing at my throat. “Well, that’s the idea, and I also hope more corporations follow our lead. Thank you for having me. It was a pleasure.” I stand and shake their hands.
After I leave, the talk show hosts continue talking amongst themselves about me.
All good things, and I hope Charlie approves, even if my heart is still pounding from anger.
She seems slightly relieved, even if she’s as white as a ghost as she stands at the back of the room.
Diverting my focus, I walk toward her. A few people stop to congratulate me on the show, but I smile, nod, and keep moving toward my target.
Charlie is biting her lip. After what she did, she can’t possibly say anything about the job I just committed her to.
“That couldn’t have gone better. I think you convinced them.
And…” she pulls out her phone. “I received news the video is officially squashed. Our team made a deal with the blackmailer, and it’s unlikely to leak.
” She speaks under her breath, looking over her shoulder.
Luckily, everyone is busy with the show and not likely to hear us.
“However, you’ve laid the groundwork here.
Everyone loves you, and you’re resigning so the Lotus Club and Alexander companies’ stock shouldn’t be too affected.
You’ve basically admitted to foul play. No one can hurt you or the Lotus Club.
At least if the blow comes, it won’t be as impactful as it could have been. ”
“I suppose you want me to thank you,” I speak through my teeth, still upset about what she kept from me. The muscles around my neck are so tight they could strangle me.
“No, I—”
“What? You were just doing your job?” I finish her sentence, angrily nodding.
“Like how you kept our son away from me? For the record, you know what I did out there was for him and not you. That includes my announcement about your employment with the Lotus Club, effective immediately. I will not have you keep Pettie from me any longer.”