Chapter 10 - THE BOY WHO ASKED FOR HIS FATHER|
Eli was discharged on Friday afternoon.
His leg was in a cast, and he would need weeks of physical therapy. The doctors were optimistic, but they warned me to watch for signs of infection and complications from the internal injuries.
I signed every form myself.
Grant did not attend the discharge meeting.
He sent a driver.
The driver brought flowers and a gift basket filled with toys.
Eli looked at them.
“Did Dad send these?”
“Yes.”
“Is he coming?”
I crouched beside him.
“Not today.”
Eli nodded.
“Okay.”
He didn't cry.
That hurt more than if he had.
At home, I discovered that Grant had removed several personal items from the penthouse. His suits were gone. So were some framed photographs and the expensive watch collection he kept in the study.
He had also changed the access code.
I stood in the hallway holding Eli's backpack.
“Mom?”
I turned.
“What's wrong, sweetheart?”
“Can we sleep in your room tonight?”
“Of course.”
I carried him upstairs.
For the first time in months, the bedroom felt quiet.
No late-night phone calls.
No unexplained messages.
No footsteps in the hallway after midnight.
Just my son breathing softly beside me.
At 2:00 a.m., I woke to a message from Grant.
We need to discuss the future. I don't want Eli growing up in a broken home.
I stared at the screen.
Then I typed:
Eli needs a father who shows up. He does not need a marriage that teaches him to accept neglect.
Grant called immediately.
I declined.
Another message arrived.
You're letting Holly poison you against me.
I deleted it.
The next morning, Daniel called.
“The board has approved a formal investigation into the foundation and the emergency blood transfer.”
“What happens now?”
“Grant will be asked to provide testimony. The medical network is also cooperating with the authorities.”
“Good.”
“There is something else. We discovered that the original reserve agreement was amended twice without your consent.”
My stomach tightened.
“Amended how?”
“The first amendment transferred voting authority. The second created a private exception for designated family beneficiaries.”
“Rachel's daughter.”
“Yes.”
“Who approved it?”
“Grant and Victor Hale.”
“Was my signature used?”
Daniel paused.
“Yes.”
I closed my eyes.
“Another forgery.”
“It appears so.”
I looked at Eli.
He was sitting on the living room rug, carefully fitting a puzzle piece into place.
“Send the documents to Holly.”
“I will.”
Daniel hesitated.
“Mara, there is a provision in the original agreement that could restore your full control if the amendments are found fraudulent.”
“What provision?”
“The founder's protection clause. If an unauthorized amendment is discovered, all derivative voting rights revert to the original beneficiary until the dispute is resolved.”
I stared at the phone.
“So Rachel's company could lose control?”
“Immediately.”
I looked at my son.
“Then activate it.”
Daniel exhaled.
“I thought you might say that.”
A few minutes later, my phone buzzed.
The trustees had issued the notice.
Palmer Strategic Services had lost its voting rights.
Rachel's name had been removed from the emergency reserve authority list.
And Grant had just lost the last legal power he had over the system he had used against our son.
But before I could put my phone down, a new message appeared.
May you like
It was from Rachel.
You need to know what Grant has planned for Eli.
