Chapter 9 - The Family Meeting
When Margaret returned to Ashford Estate with Elena and Leo, Beatrice was waiting in the main entrance hall.
Two security officers stood nearby, but they no longer worked for Beatrice. Margaret’s chief of staff had replaced the private team before the SUVs reached the gates.
Beatrice stared at Elena.
“You brought them back?”
Margaret handed Leo to a housekeeper he trusted.
“Take him to the kitchen and make him something warm.”
Once Leo was gone, Margaret faced her daughter.
“You forged my signature.”
Beatrice lifted her chin.
“I protected the family while you were recovering.”
“You stole from the foundation.”
“The funds were investments. I intended to return them.”
“You interfered with my medical care and blocked my communications.”
“You needed rest.”
“You removed my grandson from his home.”
Beatrice’s composure cracked.
“Adrian never respected what this family required. You gave him everything while I spent years protecting this company.”
“This was never about the company,” Margaret said. “It was about your resentment.”
Charles Wynn entered through the side door, accompanied by Owen and two attorneys from an independent firm.
Charles looked pale.
Owen placed several folders on the table. They contained Adrian’s original will, bank records, messages between Beatrice and Charles, and copies of the forged eviction order.
Then Caleb played the airport recording.
Charles’s voice filled the hall.
You told me the clinic had her isolated.
Beatrice closed her eyes.
Margaret watched her daughter carefully.
“I spent years believing your ambition made you strong,” Margaret said. “I failed to see that it had made you cruel.”
Beatrice looked toward Elena.
“She has turned you against me.”
Elena shook her head.
“I didn’t have to turn Margaret against you. I only had to survive long enough for her to see what you had done.”
Police investigators arrived shortly afterward to question Beatrice about the foundation transfers and forged documents.
Margaret did not interfere.
Before leaving, Beatrice looked back at her mother.
“Are you really choosing her over your own daughter?”
May you like
Margaret’s answer was calm.
“I am choosing the people you harmed over the person who harmed them.”
