Chapter 16 - “Mom… That’s Him.”
Cassandra’s fingers tightened around Mom’s wrist.
“Mom…”
Mom turned.
“What?”
Cassandra did not blink.
“That’s him.”
Mom looked confused.
“Who?”
“The man from Cole Systems.”
That got Dad’s attention.
Cole Systems had become one of the fastest-growing nonprofit financial technology companies in the country.
Adrian had recently declined a partnership with Whitmore Holdings.
Dad had tried to arrange a meeting with him twice.
Both requests had been refused.
Now Adrian walked directly toward me.
He smiled.
Placed one hand gently behind my back.
Then kissed my temple.
Cassandra whispered:
“That’s Emma’s husband.”
Mom’s face changed.
Dad’s did too.
Adrian stepped to the microphone.
“I’m supposed to say something intelligent about financial transparency.”
Guests laughed.
“But first, thank you to my wife, Emma.”
His eyes met mine.
“For building something that protects people who were once told they had no power.”
The room applauded.
I looked toward my family.
Not to gloat.
I simply wanted to see them as they were.
Mom was crying.
Cassandra looked stunned.
Dad looked furious.
Six years earlier, he had told me I was not the sort of woman who could stand beside a successful man.
Now a successful man stood beside me and made it clear he considered standing beside me an honor.
But the evening was not finished.
Because behind us, the giant screen changed.
And Dad saw the title of the next presentation.
May you like
HARBORLIGHT: RECOVERY, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND THE FUNDS RETURNED TO THE WOMEN THEY WERE MEANT TO SERVE
His face went white.
