Once the restructuring plan was approved, Ashford Group underwent a sweeping internal shake-up.
Uncle Vincent and Uncle Damien had agreed in public, but behind the scenes they kept maneuvering. They planted loyalists throughout their departments, trying to lock in their power before the independent directors arrived.
My dad was overwhelmed. Every night he came home, sat in the study, and smoked.
I didn't smoke, but I made him coffee.
One night, I carried a cup into the study and found him hunched over the desk, surrounded by documents and frowning deeply.
"Dad."
He looked up, saw me, and forced a smile.
"Jules, you're still awake?"
"So are you."
I set the coffee beside him. He took a sip and let out a long breath.
"It's hard," he said.
That was all he said.
I knew he meant the
