Chapter 9 - Malcolm’s Choice
Beatrice expected Malcolm to defend her.
For years, he had avoided conflict by allowing her to make decisions. He told himself she was stronger in difficult situations. In truth, he had been afraid of facing what the resort had become.
Now the evidence covered the table.
Malcolm removed his glasses.
“Did you tell the accounting staff to hide these charges?”
Beatrice crossed her arms.
“I told them to manage the family accounts.”
“Did you threaten employees?”
“They were disloyal.”
“Did you use my approval to authorize your son’s events?”
“You would have said yes.”
“But you never asked.”
Beatrice looked around the room and realized no one was supporting her.
“You are choosing Juliet over your wife.”
Malcolm’s voice was tired.
“I should have chosen responsibility years ago.”
Beatrice’s expression hardened.
“Then I’m leaving.”
Juliet slid a document across the table.
“This confirms that you have received notice of the debt.”
“I’m not signing anything.”
“You don’t have to. The records are sufficient.”
Beatrice grabbed her handbag.
At the door, she turned toward Malcolm.
“Are you coming?”
Malcolm looked at the unpaid accounts.
Then he looked at Juliet, who had spent months repairing damage he had refused to see.
“No,” he said.
Beatrice left alone.
Malcolm remained silent for several minutes.
“I failed your mother,” he finally said.
Juliet did not soften the truth for him.
“Yes.”
“And I failed you.”
“Yes.”
He nodded slowly.
“What happens to me now?”
“You will resign as managing trustee. You will repay the personal charges you approved. You can remain as a minority adviser, but you will have no spending authority.”
Malcolm looked surprised.
“You would still allow me to work here?”
“Mother believed people should face consequences, not disappear from them.”
He signed the resignation.
May you like
It was not forgiveness.
But it was the first honest decision he had made in years.
