“No.”
I paused.
“I think I’m exactly the same person I was thirty days ago.”
His anger faltered.
“But now,” I continued, “I know the truth.”
Richard reached for the remote.
“There’s more.”
The lights dimmed.
A screen came down behind the board.
My grandfather appeared.
Alive.
Sitting in the conference room.
My father looked like he’d been punched.
“No.”
The recording began.
My grandfather’s voice filled the room.
“When I die, Nathan will
receive everything.”
My father’s voice followed.
“Then I’ll make sure he never knows.”
The recording continued.
“You can’t hide him forever, Daniel.”
“I can keep him away from you.”
“You’re willing to destroy your own son for money?”
“He’s not my son anymore.”
My father’s face went completely white.
The video stopped.
Nobody spoke.
My stepmother slowly turned toward him.
“You said you loved him.”
My father stared at the floor.
She shook her head.
“You said he was difficult. You said he was ungrateful. You said throwing him out was for his own good.”
Her voice cracked.
“You never told me this.”
My father didn’t respond.
My stepbrother looked at me.
“Nathan…”
I looked at him.
He seemed smaller somehow.
“I didn’t know,” he whispered.
I nodded.
“I believe you.”
He looked down.
“I’m sorry.”
For a moment, I thought about all the years I’d spent believing he was
the favorite because he was better than me.
But the truth was simpler.
My father had simply decided that I was disposable.
I turned back to the board.
“So what happens now?”
Margaret Ellis folded her hands.
“That depends on you.”
I frowned.
“Me?”
“Yes.”
She slid a document toward me.
“Your grandfather gave you controlling ownership of Brooks Holdings.”
I stared at the percentage.
Sixty-eight percent.
Enough to control the company.
Enough to remove anyone.
Enough to change everything.
Margaret continued.
“But he also gave you authority to determine whether Daniel Brooks remains involved.”
I looked at my father.
He finally raised his eyes.
“Nathan.”
For the first time in my life, his voice didn’t sound powerful.
It sounded afraid.
“You wouldn’t do this.”
I stared at him.
“Do what?”
“Destroy my career.”
“You destroyed your own career.”
“I made mistakes.”
“You made choices.”
He stepped toward me.
“I
am your father.”
I nodded slowly.
“And I was your son.”
