Chapter 12 - THE WILLAugust’s attorney, Samuel Cross, requested a family meeting.
Maris refused.
August asked again.
She refused again.
Samuel finally called directly.
“This is not about forcing you into anything.”
“Then why do I need to attend?”
“Because public speculation is creating complications.”
“Public speculation can speculate.”
Samuel sighed.
“You sound like your father.”
“Insulting.”
He laughed.
“Please.”
Maris attended by video.
August.
Julian.
Samuel.
No Genevieve.
No Caleb.
Good.
Samuel explained.
August’s estate plan had last been updated five years earlier.
Julian received significant holdings.
Charitable foundations received more.
Maris had a trust preserved but restricted.
She stared at August.
“You left me money?”
“Yes.”
“You told me not to come back.”
“Yes.”
“But kept me in the will.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
August looked ashamed.
“Because apparently I was less certain privately.”
Maris almost laughed.
Samuel continued.
“Mr. Ellington wants to revise certain provisions.”
“No.”
Everyone looked at her.
“I don’t want anything.”
August said:
“That is not the same as whether Eden should be protected.”
Maris’s face hardened.
“Don’t.”
“I’m not using her.”
“You just did.”
August stopped.
He nodded.
“You’re right.”
Julian looked between them.
Samuel waited.
Maris continued:
“I built a life because I needed to know I could.”
“No one is taking that from you,” August said.
“Money can.”
“It doesn’t have to.”
“You don’t understand.”
August looked at her.
“I understand more than I did.”
“No.”
She leaned toward the screen.
“You never had to wonder whether the person who loved you also loved your surname.”
That hit.
August had been born into Ellington money.
He married a woman from similar circles.
His life never tested him the same way.
Maris continued:
“Caleb changed after he understood what being connected to you could mean.”
August’s expression tightened.
“I know.”
“Genevieve poured wine on me before she knew who I was and nearly begged after.”
Julian looked down.
“Everybody behaves differently around power.”
Maris shook her head.
“I don’t want Eden learning that money is love.”
August’s voice softened.
“Then teach her it isn’t.”
Maris stopped.
“You can refuse control without refusing resources.”
She stared.
That was annoyingly reasonable.
August continued:
“Money can buy options.”
“It can also buy obedience.”
“Yes.”
“So?”
“So you decide which one it becomes.”
Maris looked away.
Samuel said:
“No decision today.”
“Good.”
“But public rumors may continue.”
“I don’t care.”
Julian spoke.
“You should.”
Maris glared.
“Not because of inheritance.”
He continued.
“Because Caleb already started talking.”
Silence.
“What?”
Julian slid a printed message toward the camera.
A reporter had contacted Ellington Holdings asking whether Maris’s return was “connected to financial difficulties following her divorce.”
Maris went still.
“How would they know about my finances?”
Julian said nothing.
She knew.
Caleb.
August’s face became cold.
“I’ll stop it.”
“No.”
Everyone looked at Maris.
She repeated:
“No.”
August’s jaw tightened.
“He is using you.”
“Then I’ll deal with him.”
“Maris—”
“If you fix everything for me, nothing has changed.”
The room went silent.
August leaned back.
Then nodded.
“Fine.”
Julian looked surprised.
Maris looked at her father.
“Fine?”
“Yes.”
“You’re not going to call anyone?”
“No.”
“You’re not going to threaten him?”
“No.”
“Buy the paper?”
“I have never bought a newspaper to stop a story.”
“Good.”
“I have bought advertising.”
Maris almost smiled.
August saw it.
For the first time, they shared a joke without immediately losing it.
Then Samuel cleared his throat.
“We should probably return to the will.”
Maris groaned.
Everyone laughed.
May you like
Almost like family.
Almost.
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