Chapter 9 - Eric’s Final Demand
Two months after the retirement dinner, Eric appeared at Claire’s company headquarters.
The receptionist asked whether she wanted security to remove him.
Claire considered it, then agreed to a ten-minute meeting in the glass conference room.
Eric entered wearing an expensive suit, but he looked exhausted.
“I need a loan,” he said.
“No.”
“You haven’t heard the amount.”
“The answer is still no.”
“If my company closes, twenty employees will lose their jobs.”
Claire had researched his business after the dinner.
“You have six employees, and four already resigned.”
Eric’s jaw tightened.
“You investigated me?”
“I protected myself.”
He placed a folder on the table.
“I need two hundred thousand dollars. You can take ownership shares as security.”
“The company has more debt than value.”
“You always thought you were smarter than me.”
“This is not about intelligence. It is about responsibility.”
Eric leaned forward.
“Dad is suing me because of you. Mom barely speaks to anyone. You destroyed this family over one dinner.”
Claire remained calm.
“The dinner did not destroy the family. It revealed it.”
“You’re really going to let your brother lose everything?”
“You did not ask me to help you build something. You asked me to protect you from the consequences of lying, stealing, and spending money that was not yours.”
Eric stood.
“When Noah grows up, I hope he treats you exactly the way you’re treating Mom.”
Claire’s expression hardened.
“I hope he does. I hope he refuses to let anyone exploit him, even if that person shares his name.”
Eric stared at her for several seconds.
Then he left.
His company entered bankruptcy the following month.
The vehicle was repossessed. The expensive house was sold. Eric and Melissa moved into a smaller rental property.
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Their children remained safe and cared for, but the adults could no longer pretend to be wealthy using Claire’s money.
For the first time in his life, Eric had to live within the limits of what he actually earned.
