The Vote That Took Everything
Chapter 14 - The Vote That Took Everything
Daniel returned to Chicago.
Clara stayed in Bellweather.
For six days, she heard nothing.
On the seventh, a reporter arrived.
"Mrs. Bennett, is it true your son lost his company because of you?"
Clara closed the store door in his face.
Luke wanted to punch him.
She made him sweep the floor instead.
"Anger needs a job," she said.
On the eighth day, Daniel returned.
No convoy.
No assistants.
One car.
He stepped out wearing the same dark suit, but something had changed.
He looked lighter.
Clara understood immediately.
"You lost."
"I did."
"Everything?"
"Not everything."
He looked toward Luke and Jamie.
The boys ran to him before they could stop themselves.
Daniel bent and hugged them both.
Clara turned away to hide her tears.
Later, Daniel explained that the board had removed him, but he still owned a significant block of shares. More important, he owned several smaller companies independently.
"I can build the northern route without them," he said.
"It could ruin you."
"Possibly."
Clara frowned.
"Don't smile when you say that."
"I've been rich a long time. I should try being nervous."
She almost laughed.
Then Mrs. Bell brought a telegram.
Victor Hale had agreed to testify.
In exchange for leniency, he would identify every forged property transaction his grandfather had recorded.
Daniel read the message twice.
"This could restore half the disputed land in the county."
Clara's face tightened.
"What about the General Store?"
Mrs. Bell answered.
"The store was purchased from the Hale estate twenty years ago."
Daniel studied the ledger.
Then he found the parcel number.
The land beneath the General Store had originally belonged to Clara Bennett.
She stared at him.
"That's impossible."
Daniel shook his head.
"No."
May you like
He handed her the document.
"Mother, I think you've been standing on your own property this whole time."
