Chapter 10 - The Winter Steel
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"It also records," Julian continued, his voice like grinding ice, "that she waited exactly forty-etry seconds before bothering to call emergency services."
The Chief of Police’s jaw tightened into a rigid line.
Evelyn staggered backward half a step, her manicured fingers clawing at the air. "That's a lie! There are no cameras in that staircase! It’s a private family home!"
Julian slowly turned his head to look at her, his eyes devoid of any human warmth. "Father was careless, you always said. He hated being watched."
"Yes," Evelyn whispered, her voice trembling. "He hated cameras."
"Which is why," Julian replied coldly, "he installed the security system himself, known only to the primary trustee."
One of the female board members—a woman with silver hair and eyes sharp enough to cut glass—stepped forward. "Mrs. Armitage, you have been under internal corporate review for eighteen months."
Evelyn stared at her in utter disbelief. "You work for my family!"
"No," the woman replied flatly. "We work for the chairman."
Evelyn whipped her head back toward Julian, confusion dissolving into sheer, unadulterated terror. "Chairman?"
For the first time, Julian looked directly into his mother’s eyes.
"You were given a ceremonial title and a generous monthly stipend," Julian said quietly. "You were never the controlling authority. You were never the majority stakeholder. Father transferred absolute voting control to me before his death, and I completed the restructuring five years ago. Armitage Global is mine."
The words struck Evelyn harder than any physical blow could have.
May you like
"No," she gasped, shaking her head in denial. "You live in the carriage house! You take freelance consulting jobs! You drive that ridiculous old car!"
"I live where I choose," Julian said softly. "I work how I choose. And I drove that car because Clara loved the way the engine purred when it rained."
