Chapter 22 - Elias Steps Into the Light
One year after the wedding, Elias called Clara into the Voss Holdings boardroom.
Every director was present.
Marianne stood near the window.
Clara looked around suspiciously.
“What did you do?”
Elias almost smiled.
“I am retiring.”
Clara stared at him.
“No.”
Several directors laughed.
“I am.”
“You don't retire.”
“Apparently I do.”
“Why?”
He looked around the room.
“I built this company because I believed ownership created freedom.”
Then he looked at Clara.
“Eventually ownership can become another thing that owns you.”
He planned to remain chairman emeritus but step away from daily control.
The company would appoint an independent chief executive.
Then came the second announcement.
Halcyon would no longer exist as a private family trust.
Clara had decided to divide it.
A portion would remain her personal inheritance.
A much larger portion would fund long-term restitution, legal aid and financial independence programs.
One director asked:
“Do you understand how much wealth you're giving away?”
Clara smiled.
“Yes.”
“Why?”
She touched her mother's locket.
“Because my mother didn't preserve Halcyon so someone could become richer.”
She looked toward Elias.
“She preserved it so the wrong people couldn't use power without consequences.”
After the meeting, Elias walked with Clara to the elevator.
“What will you do with retirement?” she asked.
“I have plans.”
“Such as?”
“Roses.”
“You're terrible at roses.”
“I have improved.”
“You murdered three bushes last spring.”
“They were weak.”
Clara laughed so loudly two executives turned around.
May you like
Elias looked offended.
And for the first time in decades, he looked completely free.
