Chapter 9 - The Price of a Father
Richard wore an expensive linen suit and the careless smile Ethan remembered from childhood.
He opened his arms.
“Son.”
Ethan did not move.
“What did Patricia pay you?”
Richard’s smile faded.
“Straight to business.”
“You haven’t called me in three years.”
“I’ve been giving you space.”
“You asked me for fifty thousand dollars the last time we spoke.”
Richard looked toward Eleanor.
“She always did teach you to keep score.”
Eleanor remained calm.
“You signed away every interest in the Carter trust in 2004.”
“I signed under pressure.”
“You signed after taking company money to cover gambling debts.”
Patricia interrupted.
“That history is disputed.”
Eleanor looked at her.
“You paid him to dispute it.”
Richard poured himself champagne.
“Everyone benefits if we reach an arrangement.”
Ethan stared at him.
“What arrangement?”
Richard claimed Eleanor had prevented him from rebuilding a relationship with his son.
He claimed the trust should be divided.
He claimed Vanessa had offered a “fair solution.”
Ten percent to Richard.
Management authority to Vanessa.
Housing and expenses for Patricia.
Ethan would remain the public face.
“You planned to turn me into an employee of my own family,” Ethan said.
Vanessa’s voice cracked.
“You hate managing those businesses.”
“I hate paperwork. I do not hate consent.”
Richard laughed.
“You’re too sensitive.”
Ethan’s eyes hardened.
“You taught me what happens when a man confuses selfishness with freedom.”
For the first time, Richard looked wounded.
Then Dana placed a copy of his payment agreement on the table.
Richard had accepted $250,000 from Patricia.
The money came from the stolen engagement fund.
Ethan looked at Vanessa.
“You used my money to hire my father against my mother.”
Vanessa whispered, “I didn’t know where all of it went.”
Patricia snapped, “Stop apologizing.”
Eleanor watched the two women carefully.
Vanessa looked frightened now.
Not only of losing Ethan.
Of Patricia.
Richard reached for the agreement.
Dana pulled it away.
“This is evidence.”
Richard’s face tightened.
“You have no authority to hold me.”
A security officer entered quietly.
Eleanor had called him while Richard was speaking.
Richard looked toward the exit.
Then Caleb, the young server, stepped forward.
“I heard Mrs. Mitchell tell him to come through the side gate.”
Patricia glared at him.
“You are fired.”
Eleanor turned to the venue manager.
“No. He is promoted.”
Caleb stared at her.
Eleanor looked back at Patricia.
“You never had the authority to fire anyone here.”
The guests murmured.
Patricia suddenly understood that Eleanor had not merely funded the celebration.
She owned the venue, employed the staff, and controlled the security surrounding them.
May you like
But Eleanor’s final revelation was still hidden.
👉 Patricia believed Eleanor was only a wealthy hotel owner—she did not know Eleanor also controlled the company that had financed the Mitchell family for years.
