Chapter 105
Uncle Gabe nods slowly, his usual gruffness giving way to something gentler. “You blink, and they’re adults. Responsible ones, too.” He clears his throat. “Though one of them still has a knack for causing heart attacks every once in a while p>
Dad chuckles, but Uncle Gabe turns his piercing grey gaze on me. “You grab Sierra like that again, boy, and I’ll knock your teeth in, got it p>
Lilly bursts into laughter, trying and failing to hide it behind her hand. I lift both palms in surrender, leaning back in my chair.
I know Uncle Gabe, and he’s not one to make empty threats. If he says he’ll knock my teeth out, he’ll do exactly that. Just like Dad, he considers Sierra his daughter.
“Yes, sir,” I say, smirking faintly.
The laughter fades into comfortable silence. Dad clears his throat and leans forward, clasping his hands on the desk. “Now, about the handover. Despite the hiccup with the scandal, I still want to move forward with it. You’ve both proven yourselves far beyond what we expected, so congratulations on that p>
Lilly straightens, her eyes light. “We appreciate that, Uncle Ro p>
Uncle Gabe shifts, folding his arms. “The board’s on our side. The only thing left is to finalize the transition dates. Rowan will become the new Board Chair, and I’ll take my place as Vice Chairt. So as much as we are retiring, we’ll still have a say in the board p>
“Are you sure you’re both ready for that?” Rowan asks, tone light but layered with meaning. “Running this company isn’t just about profit margins and shareholders. It’s about people. It’s about the Wood Legacy p>
I’ve been ready for this since I was nine. I always knew I would follow in my dad’s footsteps, and I’ve put in the work to prove I’m ready to take over from him.
Lilly glances at me, and I meet her eyes. For once, I don’t doubt the answer forming on my tongue.
“I’m ready,” I say quietly.
“So am I,” she adds.
Our fathers share a long, wordless look. There is Pride. Gratitude. Maybe even the faint ache of letting go.
Dad exhales and leans back. “We’ve trained you for this,” he says. “I suppose it’s time to trust that we did something right p>
Uncle Gabe nods. “We did p>
The air feels heavy with unspoken emotion, a mix of accomplishment and nostalgia that sits deep in my chest.
Dad is about to continue when Lilly’s phone buzzes.
She ignores it, trying to stay focused, but when it rings again insistently, she sighs and glances at the screen. Her brows pinch together.
“Excuse me for a second,” she murmurs, rising from her seat and stepping aside. The moment she answers, shift in her posture is immediate. Her spine stiffens, and her hand trembles.
the
“What?” The word rips out of her like a gasp as the color drains from her face.
Dad and Uncle Gabe both look up sharply.
“I–I’m on my way,” she says, voice shaking now. She ends the call and turns back to us, eyes wide and unfocused. The panic in her face sends fear and anxiety shooting through my veins.
“Lilly,” Uncle Gabr says carefully, “what’s wrong p>
She opens her mouth, but it takes her a second to find the words. “It’s Sierra,” she breathes. “She–she got into an accident. They rushed her to the hospital p>
The world feels like it has just tilted. 3
For a moment, I can’t move or think. The sounds around me blur: the scrape of Dad’s chair, Uncle Gabriel’s sharp inhale, and Lilly’s ragged breathing. Everything collapses into white noise, except for that one sentence echoing through my skull.
Sierra got into an accident.