I did not go to the chapel.
Revenge is not always watching people fall.
Sometimes it is refusing to save them.
The following morning, I entered Vance Crest Holdings as its controlling shareholder.
Employees watched silently as I walked toward the boardroom. Some appeared frightened. Others looked relieved.
My father sat away from the head of the table. My mother held her handbag tightly, while Sienna hid behind dark glasses.
Arthur was absent. A judge had denied bail after investigators discovered that he possessed three passports.
My attorney placed the audit documents before them.
My father glared at me.
“You cannot destroy this company simply to punish your family.”
“I am protecting the company from my family.”
The audit showed that eleven million dollars had been diverted.
My father authorised false consulting agreements. My mother submitted fraudulent insurance claims. Sienna approved withdrawals from employee pension accounts because Arthur promised the money would be returned.
“You used people’s retirement savings to pay for a wedding,” I told her.
“He said it was temporary!”
“You never questioned him because the diamonds were permanent.”
My mother leaned toward me.
“Eleanor, withdraw the charges, restore your father’s authority and we will welcome you home.”
I laughed.
“You banned me from a wedding funded by stolen pensions, and now you are offering me permission to belong?”
My father struck the table.
“I raised you!”
“You taught me how manipulation works.”
I pushed three agreements across the table.
They could resign, surrender their benefits, repay every traceable dollar and cooperate with investigators.
Otherwise, I would pursue civil action alongside the criminal case.
My mother examined the documents.
“The lake house?”
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