Chapter 4: The Family Meeting
The following afternoon, the Collins family gathered inside the boardroom of the family's private investment company.
Marcus's father, William Collins, sat silently at the head of the table.
Brenda entered confidently.
"I'm glad we're finally discussing Marcus's behavior."
William raised one hand.
"No."
He looked directly at the large television screen.
"Watch."
The home's security recordings filled the room.
Every moment.
Every lie.
Every insult.
Every hour Maya struggled while pregnant.
Every hour Brenda enjoyed herself.
No one spoke.
When the recordings ended, William slowly removed his glasses.
"I spent thirty years building this family's reputation."
His eyes rested on Brenda.
"You spent one week destroying it."
Brenda whispered,
"I was only trying to teach her responsibility."
William answered quietly,
"You forgot compassion."
He slid one final document across the table.
A revision to his estate.
Effective immediately.
Brenda's inheritance had been reduced to a modest trust.
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The majority of the family assets would instead be placed into protected trusts for Marcus, Maya, Lily, and the baby on the way.
Brenda stared at the papers in disbelief.
