Chapter 213

Spencer's POV

I watch with barely concealed disdain as my mother, Christine, practically fawns over my "perfect" brother Marcus, who's just flown in from Berlin where he heads Max Planck Institutes's European division. The woman by his side is wearing a gorgeous dress, and her perfect smile is making my champagne sour taste even more bitter.

"Spencer, Quinn, come join us!" my mother calls out, her voice carrying that familiar lilt.

I stroll over with Quinn beside me, channeling my best passive-aggressive tone. "Well, look who decided to grace us with his presence. Harvard Business School's pride and joy actually cleared his calendar for me. Should I alert the New York Times?"

"Spencer!" My father, Richard, barks with stern voice. "Show some respect."

"It's fine, Dad," Marcus says with that same condescending smile he's had since his Harvard days. "Some things never change, right, baby brother?"

I can't help but roll my eyes. "You've been the family's golden boy since prep school. The youngest partner, board member of companies - how could anything I do possibly compare?" I glance around the ballroom. "I see Lucas by the bar. You guys can resume your perfect family reunion without me."

I could feel Dad barely containing his anger as he vented to Mom. "I just don't understand how two brothers could turn out so different," he fumed. "Marcus was always the smart one, always knew what he was doing. Never gave us any trouble. The only time he ever rebelled was when he decided to give up the family business to pursue his research career. We weren't thrilled about it, but how could we stand in his way? Especially when he was doing such important work for the country."

Then his voice turned bitter when speaking about me. "And then there's Spencer. Never took anything seriously. Getting into fights as a kid, and now? Nothing but drinking and chasing women. I can't even imagine what would happen to Sherwood Group if it ever ended up in his hands."

I heard the resignation in his voice as he continued, "Quinn is our only hope now. Maybe she can help Spencer get his act together and actually learn to manage the company properly."

I felt a toxic mix of anger and despair coursing through me. Their words cut deeper than they'd ever know. Quinn this, Quinn that - their perfect solution to fix their defective son. Each time they brought up her name, my resentment toward her grew stronger. The way they held her up as some kind of corporate savior made my blood boil.

They had no idea - or maybe they just didn't care - how it felt to constantly be measured against everyone else's standards. Marcus with his noble scientific pursuits, Quinn with her business acumen... and then there was me, the perpetual disappointment.

The more they pushed Quinn as the answer to all their problems, the more I despised her.

"Coming?" I ask Quinn, already knowing she'll stay. Her silent response speaks volumes. "Right. Go to hell."

I make my way over to the bar where Lucas, Rachel, Drew, and Jace are hanging out.

"If it isn't tonight's star himself!" Drew calls out, raising his martini. "Enjoying your time with the family?"

I glanced at Drew with mild annoyance. "Thought you weren't showing up today. Why didn't you bring your girlfriend along?"

"She's shy," Drew replied with that insufferable grin of his.

"Tch." I couldn't help but scoff.

Drew's eyes wandered to the other side of the room. "Hey, was that your brother? The genius who went off to serve his country? He's back?"

I deliberately ignored his question.

"After all these years, you're still jealous of your brother," Drew needled.

"Jealous my ass," I snapped, feeling the heat rise to my face.

"Oh, touched a nerve, did I?"

"That's enough!" I reached out to give him a playful punch - nothing serious, just the usual banter between friends.

Drew blocked it half-heartedly, then let out an exaggerated "Ouch!"

"Getting soft since you got a girlfriend?" I rolled my eyes. "I barely touched your hand. What's with the dramatic reaction?"

"It's injured," Drew explained, holding up his finger to show a small cut.

"That tiny scratch?" I couldn't believe him. "How'd you manage that?"

"Cooking with my girlfriend," he said, practically glowing.

I stared at him in disbelief.

"Don't give me that look. It's called romance," Drew's face lit up like a lovesick teenager. "Someone like you wouldn't understand the joy in that."

I glanced at Jace, who remained silent.

"You're right, I don't understand. Nobody does," I said with exasperation. "Lucas, do you get this? Jace?"

Before they could answer, Rachel jumped in. "Actually, I think I understand," she said softly. "Cooking with someone you love can be quite wonderful."

Drew didn't respond her comment.

Rachel shifted uncomfortably before turning to Lucas. "It's getting late. Maybe we should head back, Luc. We have to leave early for Hoboken tomorrow."

Lucas agreed, then nodded to me. "We're heading out."

I nodded back, understanding how difficult things had been for him lately.

As soon as Lucas left, Drew started making his excuses too.

"Leaving already?" I groaned. "The party's just ending. Let's go for drinks."

"Need to get back to my girlfriend. Don't want her getting lonely."

"Drew, could you be any more nauseating with this lovesick act?"

Drew left without word, completely unfazed.

I turned to Jace. "If you have something else..."

"Nothing else. Once you're done, I'll join you for drinks."

I thought I'd misheard. The guy who hated nightlife was offering to go clubbing?

Jace had been acting strange lately, but I wasn't about to question it. I left the party early with him, my mind already on the night ahead.