Chapter 19 - THE HEARING
The board hearing took place in the same Manhattan tower Grant had once ruled from memory.
For five years, Daniel had described who sat where.
This time Grant could make out twelve dark figures around the table.
Malcolm's allies argued that partial vision did not equal restored capacity.
Grant let them finish.
Then he placed Caroline's recording, North Light payments, Emma's false death records, and the medical evidence into the record.
"You want to debate whether I can see well enough to run this company?" he asked.
"Fine. I can see enough to recognize the clause you're using was written by men who profited from keeping me disabled."
One director shifted.
"Grant, this is emotional."
Grant smiled.
"My daughter was kidnapped for five years. Emotion is appropriate."
He proposed abolishing automatic family succession and placing Emma's shares under independent trustees until she turned twenty-five.
No requirement that she join Mercer Holdings.
No family veto.
No medical control clause.
A director asked, "You're giving up leverage."
"Yes."
"Why?"
Grant thought of Caroline.
"Because leverage is what everyone used on us."
The vote passed by one.
Daniel voted against Grant remaining permanent chief executive.
Grant discovered that afterward.
"You voted me out?"
Daniel nodded.
Grant stared at the blurry shape of his oldest friend.
Then laughed.
"Good."
Daniel blinked.
Grant had decided to step back anyway.
He remained chairman during the transition and appointed an independent CEO.
The empire did not collapse.
It became less personal.
After the hearing, Emma waited by the elevator.
"Are we going home?"
Grant paused.
She had never called the mansion home.
"Which home?"
Emma looked at him.
"Yours. Maybe. For dinner."
Grant swallowed.
"Only dinner?"
"Don't push it."
He smiled.
The elevator opened.
Then Emma slipped her hand into his.
May you like
Not because he could not walk without it.
Because she wanted to.
