Chapter 56
[Rose's POV]
The formal dining room at Magnolia Estate gleamed under the crystal chandelier's soft light. The mahogany table had been set for five, each place marked with gleaming silverware and pressed linen napkins. James sat at the head of the table in his customary position, while I occupied the seat to his right. Alexander slouched across from me, and little Lily sat to my left, her small hands folded properly in her lap.
But Christopher's chair remained conspicuously empty.
Alfred appeared in the doorway, his posture perfectly erect despite the awkwardness of his announcement. "Dinner is prepared and ready to serve. However, Mr. Sullivan has instructed me to inform you that he will be handling private business in his study this evening. He asks that you begin without him and requests not to be disturbed."
The words settled over the table like a familiar shroud. I watched Lily's shoulders drop almost imperceptibly, her gaze drifting to her father's empty place setting.
"Private business again?" James set down his water glass with controlled force. "What business could possibly take precedence over family dinner?"
Alexander muttered something under his breath that sounded suspiciously like "Lauren drama," though he had enough sense to keep his voice low.
Lily's voice came out small and resigned. "Daddy's not coming to eat with us tonight either?"
The casual acceptance in her tone struck me like a physical blow. This child had learned not to expect her father's presence, had internalized his absence as normal.
James leaned forward, his jaw tightening. "Alfred, what exactly is this private business that requires my grandson's immediate attention during our family meal?"
Alfred hesitated, his professional composure wavering slightly. "From my understanding, sir, Mr. Sullivan is addressing urgent matters related to Ms. Brooks's family situation. There appear to be some financial complications requiring immediate resolution."
"Financial complications." James's voice went flat. "Would these complications involve her brother Andrew, by any chance?"
I cut a precise piece of the roast beef Alfred had just served, my movements deliberate and unhurried. "To be more specific," I said quietly, "Christopher is currently attempting to secure legal representation for Andrew Brooks, who was arrested by the FBI yesterday on charges of embezzling funds from our own company's procurement division."
Alexander's head snapped up, genuine surprise flickering across his features. "Wait, Andrew? The procurement guy who always bought me coffee and told me I had 'potential'?"
"The same Andrew who systematically stole five hundred thousand dollars over the past eighteen months through fraudulent vendor payments and kickback schemes," I confirmed, taking a sip of wine. "Christopher is convinced the charges are baseless, that Andrew has been framed by some elaborate conspiracy. He's currently in his study coordinating with three different law firms, preparing to post bail and retain counsel at an estimated cost of approximately one million dollars."
James's fork clattered against his plate. "One million dollars? For that embezzling bastard?"
Alexander attempted to defend his brother. "Maybe Chris is just trying to help Lauren? I mean, if her brother's in trouble, he can't just ignore it, right?"
I set down my wine glass, considering my words carefully. "The question isn't whether Christopher should help someone in need. The question is whether his judgment remains sound when that help involves defending a man who stole from our own company."
James nodded grimly. "I've always felt something was off about Lauren, but Christopher refuses to hear any criticism. The boy's completely blinded by whatever hold she has on him."
Alexander fell silent, processing this information. Even he could see the logical inconsistency in Christopher's position.
Lily had barely touched her food, her attention fixed on the empty chair where her father should have been sitting. The sight of her small, disappointed face kindled something protective and furious in my chest.
"I had hoped," James said slowly, his eyes also drifting to Christopher's vacant seat, "that facing this situation with Andrew would finally force Christopher to see clearly. To recognize what Lauren's family really represents."
"And if that recognition doesn't come naturally?" I asked.
James's expression hardened with resolve. "Then perhaps he needs to experience complete failure before he can rebuild his judgment from the ground up. Sometimes the most important lessons are also the most painful ones."
The remainder of our meal passed in subdued conversation. Alexander actually engaged in discussion about his upcoming exams, while James shared updates about some property investments. Lily picked at her food, occasionally glancing toward the hallway that led to her father's study.
By eight o'clock, Alfred was clearing away the dessert plates. Lily had barely touched her chocolate mousse, her attention still fixed on the doorway.
"May I be excused?" she asked in a whisper.
James nodded, and she slipped from her chair with careful precision. I watched as she approached the sideboard where Alfred had set aside a covered plate for Christopher.
"What are you planning, sweetheart?" I asked gently.
"I want to take Daddy his dinner," she replied, her small hands wrapping around the plate with determined care. "He must be very hungry by now."
My throat tightened. Here was this four-year-old child, attempting to care for a father who had barely acknowledged her existence all week.
"That's very thoughtful of you," I managed, keeping my voice warm despite the anger building in my chest. "I'm sure he'll appreciate your kindness."
James started to object, but I caught his eye and shook my head slightly. Lily needed this opportunity, needed to feel useful and valued.
After she'd left the dining room, I excused myself and made my way to the small sitting room adjacent to Christopher's study. I settled into an armchair with a physics journal, positioning myself where I could observe without being seen.
Lily's tentative knock came exactly three times, soft and hopeful.
"Daddy? I brought you dinner..."
Christopher's response was immediate and cold. "I told you I'm not hungry. Go away, don't disturb me."
I heard Lily's sharp intake of breath, but she didn't retreat.
"But Daddy... you haven't eaten anything..."
"Lily, I said go away! I'm very busy!" His voice rose with clear irritation, absolutely final in its dismissal.
What happened next made me grip my journal so tightly the pages crumpled. Instead of leaving, I heard the soft sound of a door opening.
"Daddy... Alfred told me there's a lot of money in this card. If you need money for emergencies, you can use mine."
The words hit like a physical blow. I knew exactly what she meant—the pink children's savings card with its cartoon unicorn that Alfred had helped her open. Every dollar of birthday money and allowance she'd saved with such careful pride.
The silence stretched impossibly long. Then I heard movement, a chair scraping, footsteps approaching the door.
"What?" Christopher's voice had changed completely, shock replacing irritation.
"My savings card," Lily explained, her voice trembling but steady. "Alfred said family members help each other. I want to help you, Daddy."
I closed my eyes, fighting every instinct that demanded I storm into that study. This generous, neglected child was offering her father everything she had because she'd learned that her value lay in her usefulness.
"Oh, sweetheart..." Christopher's voice broke, genuinely emotional now. "I don't need it, baby. This is your money."
"But Alfred said family members help each other," Lily repeated with simple childhood logic. "I want to help you, Daddy."
I heard him sink to his knees, heard the catch in his throat that spoke of tears. For one brief moment, genuine paternal love had broken through his wall of denial.
"You're such a good girl, Lily. Daddy is sorry for being so busy lately."
"Daddy, will you have dinner with us tomorrow?" Hope threaded through every word.
I waited, already knowing what his answer would be.
"I'll try, sweetheart. Now go to your room. It's getting late."
I heard her small footsteps in the hallway, and I moved quietly from the sitting room to observe. Lily emerged from the study, her expression a complex mixture of sadness and something like satisfaction. She still clutched her pink savings card in one small hand.
She'd barely taken three steps when Alexander appeared from the opposite end of the hallway, clearly having been waiting. He approached her with an expression of false casualness that immediately raised my suspicions.
"Hey, Lily," he said, his voice carrying an awkward gentleness. "Can I talk to you for a second?"
Lily stopped, tilting her small face up to look at him with confusion. "Okay..."
Alexander glanced around nervously, then crouched down to her level, trying to make himself less intimidating. "I... I need to borrow some money. Just temporarily. I'll pay you back soon, I promise."
The request hung in the air, absurd and shameful.
Lily's confusion deepened, her head tilting to one side. "Borrow money? From me? But I'm just a little kid..."
Alexander's face flushed red, but he pressed forward with desperate determination. "I know, I know. But Alfred mentioned you have a savings card, right? I just need... maybe a thousand dollars? I promise I'll return it. I really promise."
Lily looked down at the pink card in her hand, then back up at Alexander. Fear flickered across her small features as she took a step backward. "But... Daddy just said this is my money... I don't think I should..."
"Please, Lily." Alexander's voice took on a pleading quality that made my skin crawl. "It's really important. I need to buy something special for—"
"Alexander." I stepped out from the shadows, my voice cutting through his pathetic plea like a blade. "What do you think you're doing?"