Carter was trying to teach his son about business-think long-term, keep an eye on the market, stay sharp. But his son? Andrew wasn''t cut out for business. For a kid his age, he was much more interested in chasing girls than chasing profits.
Everything Carter taught him about strategy and reading people ended up being used to win over girls instead of clients. Carter knew exactly what kind of son he had, so he didn''t push too hard. He just teased, “If you can manage to win over that Salstrom girl, I''ll be impressed. Heck, I''ll even call you Dad."
Andrew sat up with a grin, looking a little bashful. “Dad, don''t be ridiculous. You''ll always be my old man. But you know, if you really want to call me Dad, I suppose I could let it slide..."
Smack.
Carter gave him a good p on the back of the head. "You little rascal, are you begging for trouble?"
Andrew jumped, grumbling, "Hey, you''re the one who said it, not me."
Carter shot him a look, then changed his approach. "Come here, son, I want to talk to you."
Andrew stayed put. "If you''ve got something to say, just say it. My head''s already hurting."
Carter sighed. “Listen, you''ve got good taste, sure. But everyone knows Herman spoils his daughter rotten. From where I''m standing, he''s grooming Paradise to take over Elysian Technologies one day. Meanwhile, you''re always skipping school, getting into fights—you''ve already been held back once, and you might not make it this year either. I''m honestly embarrassed to mention it to anyone..."
He covered his face dramatically, really ying up the shame.
Carter peeked at Andrew from the corner of his eye, keeping up the act. “Tell me, how do you expect to ever catch up to Paradise? Why would she even look at you?"
Andrew actually stopped to think about it, nodding like it made sense. "You''re right, Dad. But if you leave thepany to me, then Paradise and I would be equals, right? So you''d better work hard and save up a nice inheritance for me."
Carter groaned. "You ungrateful brat."
He looked like he was about to explode. This kid was hopeless.
That wasn''t what he''d meant at all. How did the conversation go so sideways?
Carter lunged for him again, but Andrew dodged out of reach. "Dad,e on-a real man uses words, not fists."
"I''ll show you words!” Carter snatched up a feather duster and charged after him. "Get back here! I''ll break your legs!"
Andrew wasn''t dumb enough to stand there and get whacked. He bolted.
He tore out of the room and nearly ran straight into Justin. "Hey, Stoneface, give me a hand!"
Justin barely spoke a word all day, so Andrew had nicknamed him "Stoneface.”
"You brat, don''t run!" Carter shouted, hot on his heels.
Justin just stood there, a little stunned, as Andrew ducked behind
him. Carter swung the feather düster, and suddenly the three of
them looked like they were ying tag
Justin was the mother hen, Andrew the chick, and Carter the hawk on the attack.
Justin stared wide-eyed. He''d never
seen a father and son act like this.
Joyful-that was the word for it. Andrew wasn''t the least bit scareds
of Carter He even taunted him from behind Justin''s back. "Dad, you''re out of shape! You can''t catch me, and you can''t hit me!"
You''d never see a scene like this at the Wisman house.
Justin was too perfect—Jonah never had toy a hand on him. When Justin messed up as a kid, he''d just be sent to kneel in the study. Their rtionship always felt more like king and servant than father and son.
MS
"Uncle Carter, please don''t be angry. What happened?" Even Justin stumbled over his words.
Carter snapped, "Andrew, look at Justin, then look at yourself. You two are worlds apart."
Andrew just shrugged, unfazed. Parental disappointment andparisons never bothered him.
"Stoneface was just born smart, Dad. You can''t me me for gics."
Carter''s face darkened even more.
Justin just stood there, speechless.
He couldn''t believe Andrew would talk back like that. He''d never dream of answering his own father that way.
Watching Andrew, Justin felt a mix of shock-and maybe a little bit of admiration.