After my mother-in-law passed away, I went to the reading of her will—only to find my husband sitting there with his mistress… and a newborn in her arms. They didn’t even look embarrassed. Like they’d been waiting for me to crumble. But when the lawyer opened the envelope and began reading her final words, the room went ᴅᴇᴀᴅ quiet—and my husband’s face drained of color.

“That is why I will appoint an independent chief executive,” I answered. “Your mother made that very clear.”

His eyes narrowed. “You are really going to follow through with this.”

I remembered Judith squeezing my hand at dinner months ago and telling me to pay attention. At the time I thought she was being dramatic, but now I understood she had been preparing me.

“I am going to protect myself,” I said, my voice steady. “And I am going to protect the company from reckless decisions.”

Brooke turned to Tyler, frustration breaking through her composure. “Tell them what you promised me,” she demanded. “You said you would inherit everything.”

“Not now,” he snapped.

“When then,” she shot back, her voice rising, “after you have lied to everyone else too?”

Scott cleared his throat gently. “We can continue with the remaining provisions if everyone is ready.”

“I have one question,” I said.

Tyler stiffened.

“As trustee, can I request an immediate financial review and freeze discretionary spending within the company?”

“Yes,” Scott replied. “With interim management in place and legal counsel, you can implement that immediately.”

“You cannot freeze anything,” Tyler shouted. “It is my company.”