Chapter 13 - Thomas Gives Richard The Full Ledger
Thomas arrived at Richard’s office carrying a red ledger.
He had kept it privately for seventeen years.
Every transfer connected to Eleanor.
Every repayment.
Every undocumented family loan.
Every time he moved money because asking permission seemed inconvenient.
Richard stared at the pages.
“You could have shown me this years ago.”
“I was ashamed.”
“That didn’t stop you.”
“No.”
Thomas finally understood shame had not protected the family.
It had protected his position inside it.
The independent audit reconciled most entries.
Some funds were restored by Thomas.
Andrew repaid part of his diversions and entered formal arrangements for
the remainder.
Eleanor’s interests were restructured under independent administration.
Richard did not disown his brother.
He did remove him from financial authority.
That consequence hurt Thomas more than shouting would have.
May you like
For forty years, he had been the person everyone trusted with the books.
Now trust would have to exist without control.
