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Brendan looked confused.
“You told everyone your grandfather was an accountant.”
“He was.”
“And your family lived quietly.”
“We did.”
“You drove an old car.”
“I liked it.”
“You wore simple clothes.”
“I was comfortable.”
Jessica slowly stepped backward.
“So… none of this…”
“…had anything to do with money.”
I smiled gently.
“No.”
“It had everything to do with character.”
Arthur handed me a towel.
I thanked him.
Then I looked around the dining room.
The crystal chandelier.
The imported artwork.
The expensive furniture.
Every piece had once crossed my desk for approval.
Yet none of it had impressed me.
Kindness always had.
And kindness had been completely absent in this house.
Diane suddenly changed her tone.
“Cassidy…”
Her voice became almost sweet.
“I’m sure this is all just a misunderstanding.”
“No.”
“We’ve always considered you family.”
I looked at the bucket still sitting beside her chair.
“No.”
“I may have gone too far…”
“You did.”
“But surely we can discuss this.”
“We already have.”
Brendan stepped closer.
“Cassidy…”
For the first time in years, his arrogance was gone.
“I’m sorry.”
I looked at him quietly.
“No, you’re frightened.”
“I didn’t know.”
“You never asked.”
“I thought…”
“You thought money determined someone’s worth.”
He lowered his head.
I continued.
“When we married, I wanted one thing.”
“What?”
“Someone who loved me before knowing what I owned.”
Jessica slowly picked up her purse.
“I think…”
She cleared her throat.
“I should leave.”
Nobody stopped her.
Arthur’s phone vibrated.
He glanced at the screen.
“The Board has completed the emergency vote.”
I nodded.
“And?”
“Brendan Morrison has been removed as Executive Vice President effective immediately.”
Brendan’s shoulders dropped.
Arthur continued.
“His company apartment must be vacated within thirty days.”
“My apartment?”
“The company owns it.”
“My car?”
“Company lease.”
“My country club membership?”
“Corporate sponsorship.”
“My stock options?”
“Cancelled under misconduct review.”
Every sentence seemed heavier than the last.
Diane grabbed Arthur’s arm.
“You can’t destroy my son!”
Arthur gently stepped away.
“We aren’t destroying him.”
He looked toward me.
“Consequences are.”
The room became painfully quiet.