Chapter 2

            The next morning . . .

            “It’s true, Derek,” Francis Chadwick with Chadwick, Harvey, and Whitman Law Firm, stated. He was a tall man, slim and with white hair around his temples. “I drew it up myself.”

            “Son of a bitch,” Derek sneered. “I can’t believe he’s doing this.”

            “What I can’t believe is he hasn’t boxed your ears,” Francis said snottily. “I saw your mother the other day at the country club. She acted like she was embarrassed to be there.”

            Derek rolled his eyes ruefully. “Francis, my father isn’t the only one who has you on retainer.”

            Francis kept his stance and insolent expression, acting like he wasn’t intimidated. “Bottom line is there’s nothing you can do other than meet your father’s requirements – in the year time frame which starts today. That’s all you have to do. If you do, he’ll instruct me to destroy the codicil. If not, your father will let it stand after a year has passed and you will be officially disowned when he dies.”

“I be damn,” Derek swore. He was so pissed off it was a wonder he could see straight. “I don’t like having my hand forced like this.”

            “I’m sure not, but if you had been a little more discrete with your . . . what did Judy Budd write? Your shenanigans, you wouldn’t be in this mess.”

            Judy Budd was The New York Times society reporter. She had a mole in every four and five star restaurant and hotel in the city.

            “I don’t need any speeches, Francis,” he said as he stood.

            “I’m sure you can find a good wife who is willing to overlook your . . . flaws in no time.”

                                                                           ****

            Derek rode in the back of the limo thinking. He rented one when he didn’t feel like driving.

            Who the hell am I going to marry that’s suitable? I can’t marry just anybody.

            Derek was what was called a blue blood, someone from an old money family. He had a heritage to maintain and carry-on. His wife didn’t have to be from a billionaire family, but middle to upper class for a few generations at least.

            Ava Bartholomew would have been perfect. She loved to have fun and she wasn’t a pain in the ass. But Derek had slept with her mother and got caught which screwed everything up.

            Ava’s mother, Whitney Bartholomew, was too old for him to make her his wife and she couldn’t be trusted as far as you could throw her.

            Selena Hudson would have been the perfect candidate as well when he met her a few years ago, but she was head over heels in love with Christopher Hudson. They are happily married now with a toddler and a newborn.

            “Damn, who’s left in New York society that will have anything to do with me much less take me on as a husband?” he mumbled with concern.

                                                                           ****

            Chelsea was mingling with her guests at her and her twin’s graduation pool party. They both had graduated from Columbia University yesterday.  Her blonde hair was up in a ponytail. She wore a red bikini with spaghetti straps. Her parents had hired a professional bartender and DJ for the party.

            It seemed like everyone was having a good time.

            Chastity, Chelsea’s twin, was talking to her five boring friends in the pool.

            Chelsea plopped down on the side of the lounge chair that Deidre Dawson was lying on. Deidre was five years older than Chelsea, but they had been friends since Chelsea was twelve and their fathers were friends.

            “Hey, you’ve been lying here since the party started. Are you trying to get a tan or something?” Chelsea asked.

            “No. I just didn’t want to bring the party down by my morose mood,” Deidre answered. “I almost didn’t come, but we’re friends and this is you and Chastity’s shining moment. I didn’t want to disappoint you two by not showing up.”

            “Well, what’s wrong?”

            “Three nights ago, I was in the hallway at the townhouse. Mother had told me my brother was coming for a quick visit. So, when the butler told me he had arrived, I went to the den to see him. I stopped short when I heard raised voices.”

            Chelsea’s heart skipped a beat at the mention of her true desire in life. “Derek was fighting with your parents?”

            “Yes. Bottom line is if Derek doesn’t find a woman to marry in a year his inheritance will go to me and Ralph when Father dies - with me getting Dawson Incorporated to run. God help me.”

            “What? Why is your father cutting off Derek’s inheritance?”

            “Because of all the scandals Derek has been involved in. They – and me a little, too, are tired of the embarrassment he causes us when he gets caught in . . . sexual situations. Apparently, Father is so sick of it he issued Derek an ultimatum.” She ran her hands through her long black hair.

            “May be you misheard?”

            “Oh, no. I was right outside the door and they were talking so loud it was a wonder people didn’t hear them outside.”

            “Well. that’s a bummer for Derek, but why are you upset about it? Sounds like if he doesn’t marry. you’ll benefit.”

            “Pssh. I might get half of Derek’s trust fund, but I’ll also have the burden of running the company. My father thinks I can do it.”

            “You are really smart and you know about business just as much as you do about marketing – and you’re a good marketer from what my father says.”

            “Yes, but I don’t want the headache of running that place. That’s the issue. I’m twenty-six years old. I don’t want to get saddled with all that responsibility at my age.”

            “You’re worrying over nothing.”

“Like hell I am. My father has asthma, high blood pressure, and a bad heart. The man has to use his inhaler at least three times a day. He can kick the bucket before a year is out,” Deidre whined.

“Derek will find a bride within a year, I’m sure. He’s quite the ladies’ man.”

            Deidre scoffed. “That’s the problem. He’s too much of a ladies’ man. What woman in polite society would marry him after all the scandals he’s been involved in?”

            Chelsea couldn’t help but smile big and wide as her mind formed with possibilities.