“Only the interest may be used for community grants.”

Lorna leaned forward, her expression serious.

“You are giving up your inheritance, Emma.”

“I am giving up control,” I corrected her.

“The money was never meant to belong to me.”

“It was meant to support the children’s clinic and the public literacy programs.”

“If I keep control, the next person to marry into this family could do exactly what Grant did.”

Arthur nodded slowly, his pragmatic demeanor softening.

“It is the only way to ensure the foundation survives the trial,” he said.

“The public needs to see absolute transparency.”

“We will announce the restructuring at the relaunch next week,” I said.

***

On the morning of the relaunch, the rain finally stopped.

A pale autumn sun broke through the grey clouds, lighting up the wet slate roof of Whitaker House.

I arrived early, before the movers and the caterers.

Dina was already at the front desk, arranging a vase of yellow chrysanthemums.

“The brass plaque for the door just arrived,” she said, holding up a small cardboard box.

I took the plaque out of the tissue paper.