Dark shirt.
Watch back on his wrist.
Hair styled.
He looked less like a man whose business had collapsed and more like someone preparing to negotiate a promotion.
My mother kissed my cheek.
“I’m glad you’re being sensible.”
I placed the folder beside my chair.
“I haven’t said yes to anything.”
Her smile flickered.
Dad arrived last and immediately took control of the conversation.
“We all got emotional the other night,” he said.
“That happens in families.”
Luke nodded as if he had been injured by my emotions rather than his own public post.
Dad continued.
“I think we should separate the personal issues from the practical ones.”
“Good,” I said.
“Let’s do that.”
He seemed relieved.
Too relieved.
“Excellent.
First, your mother and I need some temporary help with the property.
Once that’s settled, we can revisit how Luke might contribute to Synkly.”
I looked at him.
“Those are two separate subjects.”
“Of course.”
“Then let’s permanently settle one of them.
Luke isn’t joining Synkly.”
Luke’s chair scraped the floor.
“You haven’t even heard what I could do.”
“You publicly attacked me four days ago.”
“I was hurt.”
“You posted a photograph of me without my permission and implied I abandoned this family because I wouldn’t give you part of my company.”
He leaned forward.
“I never said give.
I said I could help grow it.”
I opened the folder.
“Then you’ll appreciate this.”
I placed a one-page ownership summary on the table.
Dad glanced down.
“What’s this?”
“The answer to the Synkly discussion.”
His eyes moved over the page.
Luke reached for it, but Dad kept his hand on the paper.
I spoke before either could interrupt.
“Synkly was built without family capital.
No member of this family owns equity, debt, intellectual property, or governance rights.
My investors came in through formal agreements.
I hold the founder voting position and control the board seat attached to it.
There is no family stake to redistribute.”
Dad’s expression changed by degrees.
Confusion first.
Then irritation.
“I’m not suggesting we take something from you.”
“You asked me to give ownership to Luke.”
“A symbolic amount.”
“Equity isn’t symbolic.”
