Chapter 14 - The Diamond I Bought Myself
Four years later, Aster House had expanded to twelve locations.
We created strict sourcing standards.
Employee ownership programs.
Transparent financial controls.
No family member could unilaterally control the company.
I had learned enough about empires built around one personality.
Nathan completed his sentence and disappeared from public life.
I heard he worked in sales somewhere in Pennsylvania.
He sent one letter.
I didn't open it.
Daniel received a lengthy federal sentence.
Mom retired from daily management.
I became chair of Whitmore Fine Holdings at thirty-three.
On my thirty-fourth birthday, I walked into Aster House.
The employees knew me.
Still, I asked to shop like a customer.
I chose a simple diamond ring.
Nothing enormous.
Nothing designed to announce wealth.
I paid for it myself.
Then slipped it onto my right hand.
The sales associate asked:
“Celebrating something?”
“Yes.”
“What?”
I smiled.
“Ownership.”
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She laughed because she thought I meant the ring.
I meant my life.
