CHAPTER 9 | a change in tactic

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📎A/N.  Hello my lovelies.  Thanks for sticking with the story...

A few of you have remarked throughout the chapters about Ethan and how unjustly he had judged Sydney based on her father's actions.  

Now it might surprise you that the this same scenario has actually played out in the real world time and time again.  Immediate families have been harassed and ostracised because of the actions of  another member of the family.  They have been subjected to viscous verbal and physical attacks from both the press and the victims of the crime their family member committed.  This is especially visible with cases relating to Ponzi schemes.   There have also been cases where family members have been driven to taking their own lives from the intense and constant stigma and bullying of society wanting to blame them for what someone else has done.

In addition, there are many government agencies that exclude people from employment because a member of their family has had a criminal conviction, and other scenarios where they are restricted from advancement because of the same reason.

While this story is a complete work of fiction, the base premise of the story is very real.  The attitudes and reactions of the characters unfortunately, reflect the human condition.

I hope you enjoy this chapter and thanks for all your support.  Don't forget to vote, and comments always welcome.

Take care.

M.

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Ethan was feeling restless. He wasn't used to inactivity. Years of focusing on work and Walter's recovery had not supplied him with the ability to relax. After spending the morning ensuring his assistant had things under control, Mason had threatened to throw his phone and laptop into the ocean if he made one more call to the office. And, from experience, Ethan knew it wasn't an idle threat.

The house Mason had rented for the month was situated on three private acres of land overlooking Tashmoo, one of the tidal inlets off the North Shore of the island. The house boasted stunning views of the water and provided them with their own private access to the beach. He could understand why so many people trekked to the island year after year.

After his friend had disappeared to collect Grace, he had taken advantage of the rowing machine in the exercise room and had spent the better part of an hour hiding from Mason's sister. Over the years, he was used to Pauline trailing after him. It was funny when she was a gangly kid. But now that she was a grown adult, it just got on his nerves. This year she seemed to have taken her shadowing of him to a new level, till she had almost made it an art form.

The sound of laughter permeated the room. Ethan glanced out the window in the direction it had come from. Grace and Mason had wandered outside and Grace had laughed at something he had said. A tightness overtook him as he watched the happy couple. Ethan was happy for his friend, but he couldn't help but feel slightly envious.

He had to admit that Grace was the perfect match for Mason. They both seemed to have the same basic goodness to them. This differed considerably from the previous women Mason had dated. Due to the Van der Brink family wealth, the women in his friend's life were highly pampered with a sense of entitlement. They tended to only desire the social standing and doors that his family name could open. Grace, while sharing a similar upbringing, appeared to make an effort to help others - if her charity work was anything to go by.

Ethan finished up and wandered over to the others, grabbing a towel on the way out the door of the small gym.

He cringed as he passed Pauline, who was laying under a large umbrella. "I don't know why you would want to get so sweaty in this heat," she complained as he got closer.

Seeing she was getting no reaction from him, Pauline attempted a different tact. "Mac, would you be a dear and spread some lotion on my back?" she said as she waved a bottle in his direction.

He rolled his eyes and attempted to keep his irritation in check. "Pauline, why would you need lotion when you never let the sun anywhere near your skin?"

Ignoring her pout, he walked over to the table and poured himself a glass of iced tea before joining the others who had already taken a seat at the table.

Mason had a grin on his face as he shook his head at Ethan. "You just can't sit still can you?" he laughed.

Ethan shrugged, he was used to his friend's barbs about his inability to relax.

"If you enjoy outdoor activities, the island offers some great kayaking tours," Grace suggested, "Or, you could get Sydney to take you out. She pretty much knows all of the best locations. She has also been known to take the kayak out fishing."

"That actually sounds interesting," said Mason, "I wouldn't mind giving it a go."

"Good lord, that friend of yours is a bit rustic isn't she? I don't know why you associate with that sort of class," remarked Pauline from behind her copy of Vogue, "I forbid you to do anything of the sort, you'll reek of fish for days."

The moment the words were out of Pauline's mouth, Ethan's gaze shot to Grace. He knew she couldn't fail to be insulted on her cousin's behalf. He could see Mason's squeeze her hand and mouth a 'sorry' in her direction.

From her expression, Ethan could see she was visibly taken aback at the snide comment. Due to Grace and Sydney's connection, Pauline had also managed to insult Grace. She regained her composure and shook her head in Mason's direction, a weak smile was thrown his way. It was clear she was going to let it slide. She was too well-mannered to make a scene, especially when she was a guest in someone else's home.

Pauline chose that moment to announce she was heading inside. "It's too hot, I don't know how you can all stand it," Pauline declared before she made her way out of the afternoon sun.

Once she was out of earshot, Mason turned to Grace, "I'm really sorry about my sister. She tends to let her mouth run away with her."

"It's fine," said Grace, hurt still reflected in her eyes, "she's used to a different society in London. I suppose we just take a bit of getting used to."

Mason refilled their glasses with the remainder of the iced tea. "So when is Sydney getting here? I thought she'd be here by now?" he asked.

Grace sighed. "I got a text from her earlier. She's not coming," she said, clearly concerned about something.

"Why? She seemed okay yesterday," said Mason.

Grace looked between the two men, not sure how much she should reveal. "Sydney has a few things going on at the moment that have her distracted," she said carefully.

"You mean the news about her father?" said Ethan.

Her telling expression clearly told them that he was on the right track. He was fully aware of the current situation with David Hutton. In fact, he was sure that Hutton senior had been in contact with a member of his family. He would lay odds it was Sydney. She was the only one his Private Investigators could not develop a complete dossier on. There was something she was hiding, and he was going to get to the bottom of it.

Ethan initially had no intention of taking up Mason's invitation to Martha's Vineyard. However, the emergence of David Hutton after all these years put a spin on things. Penelope Hutton racked up international frequent flyer miles like they were going out of fashion. Her son, Jackson, while not as public as his mother had his own fair share of bad press. There was a rumor that he had been caught with an underage girl and that drugs were involved. However, none of it could be substantiated as it appeared as if a large sum of money had changed hands to keep it quiet.

The mother lived way beyond her means, and somehow her debts were always paid on time. The brother was a train wreck waiting to happen. And, as for Sydney – the fact that he couldn't find anything on her undoubtedly indicated that there was something suspicious. He was convinced she was the key to finding her father.

Years of experience in negotiating and reading people allowed him to know when to change tactic to get his own way. Ethan needed Sydney to let her guard down so he could pry the information on her father's whereabouts. He had decided the only way he was going to find her secret, was to get closer to her. To do this, he needed to let her think that he had changed his mind about her.

"She barely made it through the last time," Grace said, visibly upset, "you won't believe how vicious the press and public can be."

Ethan almost felt a twinge of guilt at hearing this. Almost.

"But isn't Stephen with her?" asked Mason.

Grace shook her head. "No, he went back to New York this morning. He won't be back until next week."

Ethan stood up. "I'll go and get her," he announced.

With her boyfriend gone, I'll be able to get the information I want.

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A/N. So we know know why he's being so nice...

...I wonder if Sydney will work it out ?

Thanks for your continued support and don't forget to vote :-)

Have a great day.

M.



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