Chapter 11 - FATHER AND SON
Richard did not look surprised to see Willow.
He looked betrayed by his own father.
Nathaniel stared at him from the wheelchair.
“You always were late when truth mattered.”
Richard closed the door.
“Everyone leave.”
Nobody moved.
Richard looked at Willow.
“That includes you.”
Nathaniel spoke.
“She stays.”
Richard’s jaw tightened.
“You are confused.”
“No.”
Nathaniel’s voice strengthened.
“For the first time in years, I am not.”
Richard stepped closer.
“You stopped taking your medication.”
Nathaniel smiled.
“The medication you chose?”
The attorney looked up sharply.
Richard froze.
Nathaniel continued.
“For sixteen years, Richard has kept me here under private guardianship.”
“He told the world I died because I objected to his control of Sterling Holdings.”
Willow looked at Richard.
“You imprisoned your own father?”
“I protected him.”
Nathaniel laughed.
“You protected your chair.”
Richard’s eyes flashed.
Willow understood.
Nathaniel still controlled something.
“Who owns the voting trust?”
Nathaniel looked at her.
“I do.”
Richard immediately said.
“He is legally incapacitated.”
Nathaniel pointed to the attorney.
“Not anymore.”
The attorney lifted a document.
“An independent physician evaluated Mr. Sterling yesterday.”
“He has been found competent to execute limited estate and trust directives.”
Richard’s face changed.
Nathaniel reached toward a folder.
“I signed one this morning.”
Willow did not breathe.
Nathaniel slid the document toward her.
It amended the voting trust.
Temporary voting authority transferred to Willow Donovan pending genetic verification of descent.
Richard exploded.
“She is not a Sterling.”
Nathaniel looked at him.
“She is more Sterling than your son.”
Richard stopped.
Willow had never seen anyone dismantle Richard Sterling so quickly.
Nathaniel continued.
“Lucas Mercer fathered Marion’s child before he died.”
“You knew.”
“You married Marion and raised Lucas as yours because possessing Mercer’s heir protected the merger.”
Richard’s eyes turned toward Willow.
“You understand nothing.”
“Then explain it.”
Richard stepped toward her.
“Your mother was unstable.”
Nathaniel slammed his palm weakly against the armrest.
“Do not.”
Richard ignored him.
“Evelyn threatened everyone.”
“She was obsessed with conspiracy.”
Willow took out her phone.
“Keep talking.”
Richard noticed she was recording.
He stopped.
Willow smiled coldly.
“Not as much fun when you don’t control the camera?”
Richard looked toward Michael.
“This is your fault.”
Michael finally stepped forward.
“No.”
“My fault was staying quiet.”
Richard’s phone rang.
He ignored it.
Then again.
He answered angrily.
“What?”
His expression changed.
“What do you mean frozen?”
He turned toward Nathaniel.
Nathaniel smiled.
The attorney explained.
“The amended trust temporarily suspends Richard Sterling’s unilateral voting authority until the lineage dispute is resolved.”
Richard lowered the phone.
For the first time, Willow saw him without power.
Not powerless.
But shaken.
Nathaniel leaned toward Willow.
“There is one more thing.”
Richard immediately said.
“Don’t.”
Nathaniel ignored him.
“The key Margaret gave you.”
Willow touched her purse.
“What does it open?”
Nathaniel looked at Richard.
“A safe deposit box.”
“Where?”
“Lake Federal Bank.”
“What is inside?”
Richard’s voice became dangerous.
“Father.”
Nathaniel smiled faintly.
May you like
“Evelyn’s original ledger.”
“And the letter she wrote the night before Richard made her disappear.”
