I looked toward 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 closer to me.
“I am your father.”
I nodded slowly.
“And I was your son.”
That silenced him.
“You were supposed to protect me.”
My voice trembled, but I refused to look away.
“Instead, you took my money.”
I placed the bank statement on the table.
“You lied about my grandfather.”
I placed the photographs beside it.
“You stole his letters.”
I set down the correspondence file.
“And when you realized he had left everything to me…”
I looked directly at him.
“You threw me out.”
My father lowered his head.
“I was scared.”
“Of what?”
“That you would leave me behind.”
I almost laughed.
“You were the one who left me.”
Silence filled the room.
Margaret Ellis cleared her throat.
“Nathan, the board has reviewed the evidence.”
She turned toward my father.
“Daniel Brooks is removed from all executive positions effective immediately.”
My stepmother gasped.
My father stared at her.
“You can’t.”
Margaret’s voice remained calm.
“The controlling shareholder can.”
Everyone looked toward me.
I took a breath.
“Yes.”
My father closed his eyes.
Then Margaret continued.
“His access to company accounts and confidential records will also be suspended pending the completion of the legal investigation.”
My father looked at me.
“Please.”
It was the first time I’d ever heard him say that word to me.
I didn’t feel victorious.
