Chapter 32
COLE
In the days that follow the North Hampton incident, life as I know it comes to an end.
Our father makes an almost miraculous recovery from a near-crippling heart attack.
I think there was just enough rage left in him to get him going after he learned the truth about Sheila and Perry. It worked in our favor.
Terrence walks into the boardroom wearing one of his best suits, but uncertainty and shame draw deep shadows across his face.
This is the first time we’ve all seen him since Sheila’s and Perry’s arrest. Somehow, the little weasel has been remarkably successful at evading us. He couldn’t skirt the cops, though.
“Those interviews at the precinct really wore him out,” Asher comments, getting a light laugh out of Toby.
The three of us are seated next to our father, along with the other six board members and an empty chair—where Sheila would’ve been.
“Come in, Terrence, have a seat,” Dad says, pointing precisely at Sheila’s chair.
“Thank you,” he mumbles. He knows exactly where he’s being asked to sit, and given the circumstances, it makes him even more uncomfortable. Good. I love watching him squirm. “You look really good, sir,” he tells Dad.
Sir. Not Dad anymore? Interesting.
“Recent events have made me want to fight a little bit harder for what’s left of this life,” Dad says, “which is why I wanted you here today, Terrence.”
“For what it’s worth, I had nothing to do with my mom’s—”
“I’m letting the police handle that aspect,” Dad says, cutting him off.
The rest of us stay silent, watching the old man as he straightens his back and reclaims the power he almost gave away to the wrong people.
I’m so goddamn proud of him right now. “What they conclude whether you were involved in your mother’s actions or not— is entirely up to them.
However, that being said, I can no longer allow any negative press to affect my company and my family. ”
“But I’m family,” Terrence murmurs.
Dad nods slightly. “By marriage. And I’m doing my best to be fair and square here, which is why I have amended my last will and testament to reflect your and your mother’s actions.
Obviously, Sheila is off the company board and out of my will entirely.
I tried to look for a reason to keep you in the company, but I’m afraid I haven’t found one. ”
“What?” Terrence sounds offended.
I wait for Dad to signal for my input. He taps his fingers on the table. It’s my turn, so I slide a file across the table. It reaches Terrence, and he opens it with trembling hands.
“This is a full report of your company activity and a detailed track of your performance,” I say.
“It’s not just bad, it’s dismal. Some of your decisions have cost the company a substantial amount of money, and your personal actions have resulted in negative attention from the press.
It’s all detailed in there. Long story short, we’re going to have to let you go, Terrence. ”
He stands up, red-faced and furious. “I had a seat on this board, dammit!”
“No, you were promised a seat on this board, but that was before you taunted my girlfriend and before you caused considerable losses to Morgan Enterprises with your reckless spending. There’s a full report in there for that, too,” I reply.
“Mommy’s not here to coddle you anymore, so I suggest you start looking for a real job. ”
“You can stay at Thornwood Manor until you resolve your professional situation and can afford to rent something elsewhere,” Dad adds.
“I believe the Madison mansion was seized as part of the police investigation, and there is a lawsuit pending against your mother filed by the surviving members of your father’s family. ”
Terrence shakes his head in genuine disbelief, his whole world crashing down on him without a hint of mercy. I almost feel sorry for the guy, and I assume Katrina is probably already filing for divorce. But then I see the bruising around Terrence’s nose and remember how he got it.
And my mercy withers into a wry smile.
“You drew the short straw, sport. It sucks, I know. But you’re still a Madison. I’m sure your dad’s family will let you work something out as far as your living arrangements are concerned,” I tell him.
“Sheila is going to prison for life,” Dad continues, shaking his head slowly.
“That Perry fella has been singing like a bird after she tried to make him out to be the sole mastermind. Fortunately, he kept enough evidence to secure himself a decent deal. Part of his interview disclosure was a few items of concern to me regarding Sheila’s actions as a Morgan Enterprises board member, which is why I’ve put together an investigative committee.
My three sons will be heading the investigation into the board… Cole?”
I nod once and get up to address the board members, while Terrence stares at the file in front of him with genuine disbelief. Reality has yet to kick in for the guy, but I don’t have the time or the patience to wait until he starts sobbing and leaves the room. He’ll do it when he’s ready.
“Sheila may have engaged in some unethical behavior while serving on the board,” I say.
“My brothers and I will have an in-depth look at every file, every folder, and every memo mentioning her name to identify the issues and repair them accordingly. While Toby and Asher are not employees, they still serve the board in a consultative capacity, and their own business experience makes them more than qualified to assist me in this endeavor. Does anyone wish to object?”
All around the table, heads shake, giving us a green light to go ahead.
I dive into the issue with confidence, honored that my father was so swift in his decision to purge the company and the family of Sheila and Terrence altogether.
Whether or not Terrence was involved in Sheila’s actions, he still proved himself to be a liability to the company, and that’s where Bill Morgan draws his line.
“Now I kindly request that all of our board members send over their memos dating back to January of last year, for starters,” I say.
Terrence stands up and leaves the boardroom without a word after I’m finished speaking. My father gives me and my brothers a long, genuine smile. The pride in his eyes is the beacon I’ve been waiting for.
It feels damn good to be able to close this ugly chapter of our lives.
A new one is about to begin, and Willow’s a central part of it.