“Caroline recently contacted an attorney about pursuing expanded legal authority over Oliver’s inheritance.”
Alexander went cold.
“On what grounds?”
“She described you as emotionally unavailable and incapable of making decisions in your son’s best interests.”
For several seconds, Alexander could not speak.
He remembered Caroline repeatedly urging him to send Oliver away.
Her insistence that he was an unstable child.
Her warnings that Alexander could not possibly manage fatherhood while running a company.
It had never been about helping them heal.
She had been building a case to take control.
Alexander stood.
“Cancel tomorrow’s fundraising presentation.”
Daniel frowned.
“Alexander, the largest donors will already be arriving. Canceling could damage the foundation.”
“Then we’ll tell them the truth.”
“Some may withdraw their support.”
Alexander looked at Elizabeth’s photograph.
“For eleven months, I’ve allowed other people to decide what mattered most.”
He picked up his phone.
“I’m not doing that again.”
That afternoon, Caroline arrived at the Bennett mansion expecting an apology.
Instead, she found Alexander waiting in the drawing room with Daniel and two members of the foundation’s board.
A sealed folder rested on the coffee table.
Caroline stopped in the doorway.
“What is this?”
Alexander gestured toward the chair.
“Sit down.”
She remained standing.
“I don’t appreciate being summoned like an employee.”
“Then I’ll make this brief.”
