The heavy door clicked shut behind Arthur, leaving his final warning hanging in the cold air.
Someone you trust. Someone who's been waiting for me to step aside.
Harrison stood where Arthur had been, the lighter still in his hand. He placed it gently on the table and turned to me.
“He meant it, Lara. It wasn't just a threat. Arthur was warning us that there's more to this story.”
“Then who is it?” I asked. “Who did he choose to take over?”
“He didn't choose anyone recently. The documents were signed twenty years ago, before you were born. The second trust is a backup plan. It activates automatically when Arthur steps down or is removed.”
Before I could ask more questions, my phone buzzed.
Clara had sent a message.
Everyone's here. All forty-seven scholarship recipients. Ready when
