Chapter 10 - The Reckoning of Finances
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The day after the gala, Richard Reynolds was discharged from the hospital and returned home to the Reynolds estate.
He was still recovering, resting in a leather armchair in his study, when he called a family meeting. Daniel and I arrived together, while Barbara sat stiffly on the sofa across from us.
Richard set a thick stack of financial documents on his mahogany desk.
“Barbara,” Richard said, his voice slow but absolute. “While I was in the hospital, I had our accountants review the Reynolds Family Foundation distributions for the past two years.”
Barbara blinked nervously. “Richard, you shouldn't be stressing yourself with business—”
“You revoked Emily’s invitation to the family trust dinner last month,” Richard cut in, his eyes cold. “And you redirected twenty thousand dollars of foundation money away from St. Victoria’s nursing staff fund to pay for your country club gala committee.”
Barbara’s lips trembled. “I... I thought it was best for our social standing—”
“Our social standing?” Richard laughed bitterly. “You humiliated this family! You insulted the woman who saved my life, and you abused the very medical professionals who keep this city alive!”
Richard picked up a fountain pen and signed a document on his desk.
“Starting today,” Richard announced, “Emily Carter is the sole director of the Reynolds Health Foundation. Every dollar of our medical donations will be overseen by her.”
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Barbara gasped, clutching her chest. “Richard! You’re giving control of our charity funds to her?”
“I am giving control to someone who actually understands the value of human life,” Richard replied sternly. “And until you offer Emily a sincere, humble apology, your personal allowance from the family trust is frozen.”
