Chapter 16 - THE GOLDEN CHILD FALLS
Preston survived.
He had crossed part of the frozen lake before the ice broke beneath him.
A fisherman found him clinging to a dock two miles away.
He was taken into custody suffering from hypothermia and a gunshot wound to the shoulder.
The shot at the cabin had come from Grant.
Grant fired when Preston pointed the rifle at Lucas.
His cooperation saved his son and prevented a greater tragedy.
Preston was transported to a secure hospital ward.
My mother demanded to visit him.
Her request was denied.
My father never asked.
Instead, he contacted Marcus and offered to testify.
We met inside an empty conference room.
My father looked twenty years older than he had at the wedding.
“I should have stopped him years ago.”
“Yes.”
“I kept believing the next rescue would be the last.”
“You did not rescue him.”
“You taught him that consequences belonged to other people.”
He lowered his head.
“I know.”
My father provided investigators with banking passwords and internal correspondence.
He admitted helping conceal Preston’s losses.
He also admitted knowing that Preston threatened Nathan.
He claimed he never knew about the damaged brakes.
I did not know whether to believe him.
For once, it did not matter.
His confession was supported by evidence.
Carter Hospitality entered court-supervised restructuring.
The board appointed me interim chair.
Employees expected me to protect the family name.
Instead, I released a statement acknowledging the fraud.
I promised to repay harmed investors and preserve employee pensions before protecting any family assets.
My mother called from jail.
I accepted once.
“You have everything now,” she said.
“The company.”
“The trust.”
“Your father’s loyalty.”
“I do not have his loyalty.”
“I have his testimony.”
“You turned him against Preston.”
“No.”
“Preston finally gave him something he could no longer ignore.”
She began crying.
It was the first time I had ever heard my mother cry for her son.
Not for Sophie.
Not for me.
Only Preston.
Before the call ended, she whispered something unexpected.
“There is one more recording.”
“What recording?”
“Your grandmother’s final video.”
“Where is it?”
May you like
My mother inhaled slowly.
“Preston hid it inside the oak menu board.”
