Chapter 7 - The Three Sons Who Refused to Bow|
Gideon Voss had spent thirty-one years learning how to be his father's son.
He knew how to negotiate without raising his voice.
How to read a room before speaking.
How to recognize when someone was lying.
And how to keep his emotions hidden.
But watching Rosalind leave her anniversary party had taught him something his father never had.
There were things more important than power.
His mother's dignity was one of them.
Now Gideon stood beside his brothers in the conference room at Voss Tower.
Across the table sat Callum.
Their father.
The man who had once seemed invincible.
He looked older.
His eyes were tired.
His wedding ring remained on his finger.
Gideon noticed.
He said nothing.
Callum cleared his throat.
"Thank you for coming."
Beckett folded his arms.
"We're here because the financial situation affects Mom."
Piers leaned against the wall.
"And because we want answers."
Callum nodded.
"Fair."
Gideon opened a folder.
"Mercer Capital received payments from multiple Voss-associated entities."
Callum looked down.
"I know."
"Some were authorized using your credentials."
"Yes."
"Did you approve them?"
Callum shook his head.
"Not knowingly."
Gideon studied him.
For years, he'd trusted his father's instincts.
Now he needed evidence.
"Then we're going to verify that."
Callum nodded.
"Agreed."
Beckett looked surprised.
Piers frowned.
"That's it?"
Callum turned.
"What?"
"You're not going to tell us to stop asking questions?"
Their father looked down.
"No."
Silence.
Then Callum said quietly:
"I've spent too long expecting people to trust me without giving them reasons."
Gideon stared.
The admission was unexpected.
But it didn't erase what had happened.
He continued.
"Mom's attorneys are reviewing all relevant agreements. No one is touching her assets without her informed consent."
Callum nodded.
"Of course."
"And Sloane?"
Callum's expression hardened.
"She's out of my life."
Piers laughed bitterly.
"She should never have been in it."
Callum looked at him.
"You're right."
For a moment, nobody spoke.
Then Callum said something none of them expected.
"I owe your mother an apology I can't make big enough."
Beckett looked away.
Gideon's throat tightened.
But Piers stepped forward.
"Then stop trying to make it big."
Callum frowned.
"What?"
"Stop buying things. Stop making speeches. Stop sending flowers."
Piers's voice broke.
"Just leave her alone until she decides whether she ever wants to speak to you again."
Callum stared.
Then slowly nodded.
"I will."
Gideon closed the folder.
"There's something else."
Callum looked up.
"Victor Kane is alive."
His father's face went white.
"What?"
"He contacted Mom."
Callum stood abruptly.
"No."
Gideon's expression hardened.
"Sit down."
The room went silent.
Nobody had spoken to Callum Voss that way in decades.
Callum stared at his oldest son.
Then slowly sat.
Gideon continued.
"Victor claims to have information about Grandpa Whitmore's death."
Callum looked sick.
"He's lying."
"Maybe."
"He'll use Rosalind to get to me."
Gideon nodded.
"That's possible."
"Then she needs protection."
"She has it."
Callum stared.
Gideon continued.
"But she also has the right to decide whether she wants to hear what Victor says."
Callum shook his head.
"You don't understand how dangerous he is."
Gideon leaned forward.
"Then explain."
Silence.
Callum looked toward the windows.
For a long moment, he said nothing.
Then he whispered:
"Victor was involved in the deal that nearly destroyed your grandfather."
Beckett frowned.
"What deal?"
Callum closed his eyes.
"A shipping contract."
Gideon watched him carefully.
"And?"
"Your grandfather borrowed money to expand the business."
"From Victor?"
Callum nodded.
"Yes."
"Then what happened?"
Callum swallowed.
"The business collapsed. Your grandfather died. And Victor demanded ownership of the remaining assets."
Gideon stared.
"Mom's inheritance."
"Yes."
Beckett leaned forward.
"Did you stop him?"
Callum hesitated.
"I thought I did."
Piers frowned.
"What does that mean?"
Callum looked at his sons.
"I made an agreement."
Gideon felt cold.
"What agreement?"
Callum took a breath.
"I promised Victor a share of future profits if he released his claim to Rosalind's properties."
Silence.
Then Gideon asked:
"Did Mom know?"
Callum looked down.
"No."
The room went completely still.
Piers laughed bitterly.
"Of course she didn't."
Beckett closed his eyes.
Gideon stared at his father.
For years, Rosalind had believed Callum was protecting her inheritance.
Now he was admitting he'd made a secret agreement involving her property.
Gideon's voice became quiet.
"Did you ever intend to tell her?"
Callum couldn't answer.
Then his phone rang.
Unknown number.
He stared at the screen.
Gideon noticed.
"Who is it?"
Callum swallowed.
"Victor."
He answered.
"Callum."
Victor's voice came through the speaker.
"Hello, old friend."
Callum's expression hardened.
"What do you want?"
Victor laughed softly.
"Something you promised me twenty-six years ago."
Callum stared.
"That agreement is over."
"Is it?"
Victor paused.
Then said:
"Ask your sons why their mother still doesn't know what happened the night her father died."
May you like
The call ended.
And for the first time, Gideon saw his father look genuinely afraid.
