I came to the special board meeting with a walking stick.
My shoulder still hurt when I raised my arm, and my left hand had not fully recovered. The scar across my palm pulled tight when I closed my fingers. I had kept the stick in the car because I hated the way people looked at me when I used it. That morning, I decided I was tired of hiding what had happened to my body.
The meeting was held in the small conference room at the family office. No cameras were allowed, but the public relations team had placed a receptionist outside to manage calls. The board members sat around a table with the Briar Point agreement in front of them.
Graham was already there. He had a folder open and a glass of water at his right hand.
Margaret asked me to sit. Graham objected.
"Evelyn is on administrat
