“You discussed it,” I corrected. “I listened.”
“You breached the implicit trust of this household,” Julian barked, slamming his palm against the table. The silver coffee pot rattled. “You took three million dollars out of circulation at a critical financial junction for this family. If you wish to act like an independent adult who manages her own affairs, then you can live like one. Without our roof, without our name, and without our protection.”
I looked at him, and for the first time in my eighteen years, I saw him not as an imposing father, but as a desperate businessman backed into a corner.
“Where is Grant?” I asked softly.
My mother’s eyes flickered nervously toward the ceiling. “Grant is busy handling family matters. Matters you clearly have no loyalty toward.”
“Grant spent six months trying to convince Grandfather to change his will,” I said. “When that failed, he spent the last month trying to get me to sign a power of attorney before my birthday. He thought he was getting that three million today, didn’t he? That’s why he promised Paige her diamond bracelet.”
Cynthia turned pale, but Julian stepped between us, cutting off the conversation. “ Noon, Evelyn. The security codes will be changed at 12:01. Any personal items left behind will be donated. Your car—the one registered in the corporate name—remains in the garage.”
“I’ll take my clothes, my laptop, and my grandfather’s journals,” I said smoothly. “You can keep the rest.”
I turned on my heel and walked out of the room, climbing the grand marble staircase with my head held high. My heart was hammering against my ribs, but beneath the fear was a strange, intoxicating surge of clarity.