There was no time for grief.

“We need to prepare for tomorrow night,” I said.

“Julian, I need the list of every original investor attending the summit.”

Julian pulled a physical folder from his leather briefcase.

He laid it on the table.

“Arthur Vance is the key,” Julian said.

“He holds twelve percent of the voting shares.”

“If he votes with you, the other legacy investors will follow.”

“He loved my father,” I said, touching the folder.

“He was the best man at my parents’ wedding.”

“Bennett has kept him isolated,” Julian said.

“He told Vance that you were too ill to receive visitors.”

“I will show him the truth,” I said.

“I will wear the sapphire necklace my father gave me.”

“And I will speak to them about the original recipes.”

“The artisanal gin, the lavender-infused pastries.”

“The details that made Whitlock Luxe famous before Bennett turned it into a corporate machine.”

“It is a good strategy,” Julian said.

“But you must be careful.”

“Bennett will try to humiliate you if he sees you there.”

“Let him try,” I said.