PART 7
Sarah’s apple pie.
Michael smiled when he smelled it.
“Mom’s recipe?”
“Always.”
Jessica hugged me.
Richard arrived carrying flowers.
Patricia carried a homemade cheesecake.
Only Christopher arrived empty-handed.
He looked annoyed from the moment he stepped inside.
“This is… cozy,” he said.
“It’s called a home,” Jessica replied.
Dinner began politely.
For almost twenty minutes nobody mentioned business.
We talked about architecture.
Travel.
Sarah.
Jessica’s childhood.
For the first time, Patricia laughed naturally.
I began wondering if the evening might actually heal something.
Then Christopher ruined it.
He put down his wineglass.
“So, Mr. Warren…”
“Tom is fine.”
He ignored that.
“I’ve been thinking.”
“Dangerous hobby.”
Michael nearly choked trying not to laugh.
Christopher continued.
“Families should help each other.”
“They should.”
“Since you’re now practically family…”
Richard looked uncomfortable.
Christopher smiled.
“Perhaps Warren Capital could become a strategic partner.”
Jessica sighed.
“Chris…”
“What? It’s logical.”
He turned to me.
“You’d make an excellent investment.”
I looked at him calmly.
“You’re asking me to invest?”
“Yes.”
“In Bradford Urban?”
“Exactly.”
I folded my napkin.
“I already have.”
His smile faltered.
“No, I mean directly.”
“I know what you meant.”
Richard’s face had become pale.
Christopher didn’t notice.
“You’d receive substantial influence.”
I smiled.
“I already have that too.”
Jessica stared at her brother.
“Stop.”
But Christopher leaned forward.
“What would it take?”
I answered honestly.
“The truth.”
The room became silent.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” he asked.
I reached beside my chair.
Daniel had prepared one envelope.
I placed it in the center of the table.
Christopher looked confused.
“What is this?”
“Open it.”
He laughed.
“What, another business card?”
“No.”
He opened the envelope.
His smile disappeared.
Inside were copies of every wire transfer.
Every offshore payment.
Every forged invoice.
His hands began shaking.
Richard slowly stood.
“Christopher…”
“No.”
Christopher looked wildly around the room.
“This is fabricated.”
I said nothing.
He turned toward his father.
“Dad, tell them!”
Richard didn’t move.
Christopher’s confidence cracked.
“Dad?”
Richard’s voice broke.
“Did you steal from the company?”
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