“To family,” Dad toasted, raising his glass. “And to new beginnings.”
“To the money!” Megan chirped, clinking her glass against Mom’s.
We ate in a tense rhythm. The soup was cold. The conversation was worse. Dad spent twenty minutes lecturing us on his business genius, explaining how he had single-handedly negotiated the “deal of the century.”
“They were tough,” Dad bragged, slicing the turkey with ceremonial violence. “Everest Holdings. Very secretive. But I told their lawyers, ‘The Adams name costs a premium.’ And they paid it.”
I took a sip of water. “Who is the CEO of Everest, Dad? Did you ever meet him?”
Dad waved a dismissive hand. “Some reclusive tech genius. Doesn’t matter. The check clears the same way.”
“I heard the CEO is a woman,” I said quietly.
Garrett choked on his wine. Dad stopped carving.
“A woman?” Dad laughed. “Don’t be ridiculous, Morgan. A firm that size? It’s run by a board of serious men. Not some… diversity hire.”
The table went silent. The misogyny hung in the air, thick and suffocating. It was the same atmosphere that had driven me away ten years ago.
“You know,” I began, my voice gaining volume. “I remember when I pitched my cloud integration idea to you in this very room. You told me it was ‘cute.’ You told me to leave the thinking to the men.”
“Morgan, not tonight,” Mom pleaded, her eyes glassy. “Let’s have a nice dinner.”
“I am having a nice dinner, Mom,” I smiled. “I’m just reminiscing.”
Dad sighed, putting down the knife. “Morgan, we are celebrating a $50 million victory. If you can’t be happy for us, perhaps you should leave.”
“I’m very happy, Dad. I’m thrilled.”
“Good. Then let me make the formal announcement.” Dad stood up, commanding the room. “As of tomorrow morning, Adams Software will be acquired by Everest Holdings. The proceeds will secure this family for generations. Garrett, you will receive a hefty severance. Megan, your trust is topped up. And Morgan… well, I’m sure we can spare something to help with your rent.”
Garrett relaxed, a smug grin returning to his face. “Thanks, Dad. You’re the best.”
“There’s just one thing,” Dad added, frowning slightly as he checked his phone. “The final counter-signature hasn’t come through yet. My lawyer says the Everest CEO insists on being present for the announcement.”
“That’s unusual,” Garrett said.
“It is,” Dad agreed. “But for $50 million, I’ll wait.”
I placed my napkin on the table. The linen was stark white against the dark wood.
“You don’t have to wait, Dad,” I said.
Everyone turned to me.
“Excuse me?” Dad asked.
I stood up. “I said, you don’t have to wait for the CEO of Everest Holdings.”
Cliffhanger: I reached into my purse and pulled out a sleek, heavy platinum business card. I slid it across the long mahogany table. It spun perfectly, stopping right under Dad’s nose. “Because she’s already here.”
The silence was absolute. It was heavy, physical, like the air had been sucked out of the room.
Dad stared at the card. Everest Holdings. CEO: M. E. Stone.
“M. E. Stone,” he whispered. “Morgan… Elizabeth… Stone?”
“I dropped the ‘Adams’ ten years ago,” I said, my voice ringing clear and authoritative. “Right after you laughed me out of the boardroom.”
“This is a joke,” Garrett stammered, standing up so fast his chair tipped over. “She’s lying! She’s a coder, Dad! She lives in a studio apartment!”
“I own the building the apartment is in, Garrett,” I corrected him coldly. “And I own the three surrounding blocks. Everest Holdings is valued at $200 million. And as of 9:00 AM tomorrow, I own you.”
Megan’s jaw dropped, her phone forgotten on the table. “Wait… you’re rich? Like… actually rich?”
Dad looked from the card to me, his face turning a dangerous shade of purple. “You… you bought my company? Behind my back?”
“I bought a failing asset,” I corrected. “I used a shell company because I knew your pride wouldn’t let you sell to me directly. I watched you drive grandfather’s legacy into the ground. I watched you ignore the market shifts. I watched you promote an embezzler to Vice President.”
I locked eyes with Garrett. He looked like he was going to vomit.
“Embezzler?” Dad looked at Garrett. “What is she talking about?”
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