Nadia's POV
Three weeks after Elise came home, Julian's lawyer called with news about the lawsuit.
"They're offering a settlement," Julian told me over breakfast. "I maintain majority control until Elise turns twenty-five, they drop the competency challenge, and I come back full-time as CEO."
"What did you say?"
"I said no."
I set down my coffee. "Just like that?"
"Just like that." He fed Elise her bottle, not looking at me. "They called me four more times. Offered more money each time. I kept saying no."
"Julian, that's your life's work."
"No, it was my grandmother's life's work. I just maintained it." He shifted Elise to his shoulder, patting her back. "I'm tired of maintaining things I don't care about."
"You care about the company."
"I care about this more." He looked at me t
