They all knew what came next—me snapping at Marcus, fighting for Eileen's attention.
Then Eileen would scold me for being immature, and I'd lose my temper, and the whole circus would play out the way it always did.
But a moment passed, and I didn't move.
All those years I'd nearly driven myself into the ground trying to earn a single look from Eileen Mason. School. Startups. Building a media brand from nothing.
After navigating boardroom politics, after rubbing shoulders with people who shaped policy at the highest levels—
Marcus's little routine?
It was laughable.
I kept my expression neutral and handed the gift bags to one of the housekeepers.
"From my parents, for Mr. and Mrs. Mason."
Marcus's smile faltered.
Eileen frowned and glanced at me.
Inside the villa, I noticed the dining room table had only four chairs.
Mr. Mason, Mrs. Mason, and Eileen already accounted for three.
Marcus let out a soft laugh.
"Sorry, bro. Forgot to mention you were coming too. Looks like they didn't set a place for you."
"Why are you apologizing for that?"
Eileen turned a cold gaze on me.
"Russ Farley, Marcus didn't do it on purpose. Just go get yourself a chair. There's no need to make him feel bad about it."