into a regional empire.
Daniel had married into it.
Then gradually convinced himself he had built it.
“You don’t know how to run that company without me,” he snapped.
“I spent five years letting you believe that.”
His jaw tightened.
For those five years, I had quietly overseen acquisitions, financing, compliance, and board relationships while Daniel played charismatic CEO.
He attended dinners.
I read contracts.
He gave speeches.
I controlled the trust.
Margaret sank into her chair.
“The house?” she asked weakly.
“Mine.”
“The lake property?”
“Trust-owned.”
“The company jet?”
