Forty percent of voting control would move into an employee stewardship trust over ten years.
Another portion would fund expansion and community programs.
The remaining controlling block would sit under an independent board with strict limits on sale.
No private equity breakup without employee approval.
No single family heir.
Bram was furious.
Good.
But there was still my personal estate.
My houses.
Investments.
Foundation assets.
That was where Maeve and Ellie entered the story.
Not because Ellie gave me soup.
Because they were family.
Not mine by blood.
But Lorna’s.
And because after six weeks of knowing Maeve, I trusted her enough to ask:
“What did your mother want for you?”
Maeve frowned.
“Stability.”
“That sounds vague.”
“She wanted me to finish college.”
“Did you?”
“No.”
“Why?”
“Life.”
“Would you?”
“At thirty-eight?”
I smiled.
“I have recently learned that universities accept adults.”
