‘What do you want?’
That question was easier.
‘I want the board meeting to proceed.’
‘Heather, Marcus’s appointment—’
‘Was never approved.’
‘I built that company.’
‘You did.’
‘For forty years.’
‘I know.’
‘And now you’re going to walk in after hiding behind some shell company and take it?’
Elaine heard enough through the speaker to raise an eyebrow.
I kept my voice level.
‘I paid fair value for every share North Harbor owns.
Your partners chose to sell.
Their estates chose to sell.
Investors chose to sell.
I didn’t take anything from you.’
‘You kept it secret.’
‘I kept my life private from people who only showed interest when they thought they could judge it.’
That landed.
For several seconds there was only breathing on the line.
Then Marcus’s voice appeared faintly in the background.
‘Ask her if she’s firing us.’
I closed my eyes.
Even now, he thought the company existed as a family possession.
‘Marcus is there?’ I asked.
Dad didn’t answer quickly enough.
‘Put me on speaker.’
A click.
‘I’m here,’ Marcus said.
‘Good.
The board will review your proposed appointment, your performance record, the expansion projections, and the related-party contracts.
You’ll have the same chance any candidate should have.’
‘Candidate?’ he snapped.
‘Dad already named me CEO.’
‘Dad announced you at a party.
The board appoints the CEO.’
‘You’re doing this because of Saturday.’
‘No.
The governance review was prepared before Saturday.’
That silenced both of them.
Then I added, ‘Saturday changed one thing.’
Dad spoke carefully.
‘What?’
‘I had intended to tell you privately before the notice arrived.’
I thought of the black leather folder beside my champagne glass.
Inside it had been a personal letter explaining North Harbor, my career, and why I believed the company needed independent leadership after Dad retired.
I had brought it because, despite everything, some childish part of me still wanted to give him the truth gently.
Then he handed me a spotlight and turned me into entertainment.
‘I brought the ownership documents to your party,’ I said.
‘They were in my bag.’
Neither man spoke.
‘I was going to stay after everyone left.’
Dad’s voice dropped.
‘Heather…’
‘The board meeting is Thursday.’
