Chapter 5 - My Father Walked Into the Boardroom
Daniel looked older.
Of course he did.
But the smile was identical.
“Little Star.”
I didn't move.
He opened his arms.
I remained seated.
His smile faltered.
“Emma.”
“You've been dead seventeen years.”
He looked toward Mom.
“She told you her version.”
Mom stood at the opposite end of the boardroom.
“This isn't about versions.”
Daniel smiled.
“Still controlling everything, Eleanor?”
I saw it immediately.
He wanted them fighting.
Wanted me choosing.
Twelve-year-old Emma might have.
Twenty-nine-year-old Emma had lawyers.
“Sit down.”
Daniel looked surprised.
“My attorney will record everything.”
His smile vanished slightly.
He sat.
Then Daniel performed.
He claimed Mom framed him.
Claimed he fled because she threatened prison.
Claimed Celeste eventually discovered the truth.
Claimed Nathan approached him.
Every story made Daniel less responsible.
That was the pattern.
Then Rebecca asked:
“Did you instruct Nathan Vale to obtain Emma's shares?”
“No.”
“Did you communicate with him?”
“Occasionally.”
“Did you control Aurelius Crown?”
“No.”
Rebecca slid corporate records across the table.
Daniel stopped smiling.
Then another document.
Then another.
Beneficial ownership.
Transfers.
Emails.
Nathan's cooperation had given us more than Daniel expected.
Finally I asked:
“Did you come back for me?”
Daniel looked into my eyes.
“Yes.”
I wanted to believe him.
Then I asked:
“Or my shares?”
He didn't answer fast enough.
That was the moment my father died for real.
Not seventeen years earlier.
In that boardroom.
In front of me.
And this time there was a body.
May you like
A living one.
I simply no longer recognized him as Dad.
