Chapter 6 - Friday's Vote
Hartwell Logistics had never been Daniel's world. Emma handled her family business quietly and kept Daniel away from the politics.
That changed at 8:00 a.m.
Rachel obtained the board agenda.
Item Seven: Emergency capital restructuring and authorization of a controlling investment by North Vale Partners.
Daniel knew the name.
Vanessa's father, Richard Kendrick, was North Vale's managing partner.
"There it is," Rachel said. "If Margaret becomes Lily's guardian, she gets temporary voting control over Lily's shares. If those shares support North Vale, the deal passes."
Daniel stared at Vanessa's father's name.
His engagement to Vanessa had started seven months after Emma's death. Margaret introduced them at a charity dinner.
At the time, it felt like his mother trying to pull him out of grief.
Now it looked like placement.
He called Hartwell's CFO, Elaine Brooks.
"I need to know whether Margaret has contacted you."
Elaine inhaled sharply. "Daniel, I can't discuss board communications with you."
"Then tell me whether Emma expected North Vale to buy the company."
"Absolutely not. She hated them."
"Why?"
A pause.
"Because she believed North Vale was stripping family companies, loading them with debt, and selling the assets."
"Did Margaret know that?"
"Everyone knew."
Daniel looked across the hotel room at Lily asleep with the stuffed rabbit under her chin.
"Elaine, someone has been hurting my daughter while building a guardianship case against me. Friday's vote is connected."
The silence on the other end became heavy.
Then Elaine whispered, "Emma left something for you."
Daniel stood.
"What?"
"A locked file in our legal archive. She told me to release it only if anyone tried to remove you as Lily's parent."
"Send it."
"I can't. It requires your physical signature and a second key."
"Who has the second key?"
May you like
Elaine hesitated.
"Your mother."
