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I text my father on the way in, letting him know it’s time to discuss family matters. It’s quiet when I get off the elevator, but I head to my office and wake up my computer. There’s a knock on my door, and I lift my head.
“Morning.”
“Craig.” I nod, and he enters my office and sits across from me. “You have everything? We have to be prepared.” We’ve gone over this so many times.
“Theo, it’s solid. Evidence doesn’t lie. We have signatures and proof of mishandling and cover-ups. If that doesn’t get his attention, we have the rest of the allegations to throw at him. And I can’t imagine Alfred Monroe spending a minute behind bars.”
He offers me some relief.
My phone buzzes. “Mr. Monroe. Your father has entered the building.”
I press the intercom. “Thank you. When he comes in, direct him to the conference room. I’ll be in shortly.”
Leaning back, I brush my hands down my tie. “Let’s get this over with.” Craig stands with me, and we make our way to the conference room. When we enter, I see that Charles is with my father. My annoyance spikes at the sight of Alana. “Father. Charles.” I don’t bother to address Alana. “I didn’t knowshewas on the attendee list.”
“I think it’s important she be here considering the topic of conversation,” Father says, eyeing Craig. “Who is this?”
“Father, meet Craig Stone. My lawyer.” I sit at the head of the table while Craig takes the chair next to me.
His brows raise at the title. “Lawyer? Where is Jeffries? You know we only use the family lawyer.” He flicks his fingers in the air. “You’re dismissed.”
“Craig is staying right where he is.” I nod to Craig, who pulls out the file. Standing, he puts one set of documents in front of my father and another in front of Charles.
“Theo, what’s this about?” Charles asks, reaching for the documents.
“It’s about taking back control.”
My father stares down at the papers on the table. “Whatever you think you have is nothing.” He pushes them away without looking at the contents. On the other hand, Charles has gone quiet and pale as he realizes what he’s looking at.
“Well, that depends on whether you care how I handle this information.”
“Excuse me?” Father hisses.
“You know damn well I had nothing to do with those allegations.” I look at Alana, who’s squirming in her chair. “The agreement you two have is done. Consider this not only my resignation but a warning. Let me walk away, or I will expose every fraudulent deal you two have pushed through the last five years.”
Father shoots from his chair. “You’reblackmailingme?”
“Sit down,” I growl.
“I will do no such thing. These land deals are nothing but—”
“Forged surveys. Land you claimed to be uninhabitable to make more money.”
Charles stands, putting his hands out to me. “Theo, son. There’s no need for this. Let’s talk—”
“There’s nothing to discuss. My terms are simple. I want out. You can have your company. Your deceit. I don’t need a single cent from you. I want to be rid of it all.”
“And what exactly do you think you’re going to do with this? Expose us?” My father grabs his stomach and laughs. “Son, I thought you were smarter than this.”
“I want out.”
“Not a chance.”
“Then I go public—”
“Theo, you can’t be serious,” Alana chimes in, but I ignore her.
“I want it in writing. Dissolve the contract. Go through with the merger if you want; I don’t give a fuck. But I want nothing to do with any of it. I’ll step down and walk away, and you won’t come after me or anyone—”
