The lawyer opened his portfolio and laid a stack of papers before my father. “Mr. Aldridge, as of Monday, Southgate Capital holds forty-six percent of your shares, and our client requests an emergency board vote.” Dad stared at the page, then at me. “You,” he said hoarsely. Brooke’s mimosa tilted in her hand and spilled across the white tablecloth. Mom’s laugh had vanished entirely.

Brooke jumped up. “This is a trick. She works retail!” The second attorney slid a document in front of her. “Ms. Aldridge, this is the audit of the warehouse losses, forty-one million dollars, omitted from the Dayton disclosure.” Her hands shook. Trevor finally put down his phone. I took one calm breath and said, “Dad, you should read the last page. It concerns your signature.”