Chapter 6 - CASSANDRA’S OFFER
Cassandra requested a private meeting.
Sarah refused at first.
Rachel advised accepting only with recording and counsel present.
Cassandra arrived without Lenora.
Her confidence had returned, but it looked practiced.
She placed a folder on the table.
“I can make this easy.”
“For whom?”
“For Lily.”
Inside was a settlement offer.
Sarah would receive twenty million dollars.
A home.
Lifetime expenses.
In exchange, she would resign as trustee, transfer Ashwood control to a professional board chosen by Cassandra, and stop cooperating with investigators.
Sarah closed the folder.
“No.”
“You didn’t read the whole thing.”
“I read enough.”
Cassandra leaned forward.
“You are not equipped to run this.”
“I agree.”
Cassandra smiled.
“Then be reasonable.”
“I will appoint independent professionals.”
The smile faded.
“You will destroy the company.”
“Then it should survive transparency.”
“You sound like Andrew.”
Sarah’s voice remained calm.
“That is not an insult.”
Cassandra’s mask cracked.
“He chose you over us.”
“He chose Lily.”
“He chose a child who cannot understand what she owns.”
“He chose someone you could not manipulate yet.”
Cassandra stood.
“You think the police will prove anything?”
“I think they will look.”
“They looked after the crash.”
“With records your family controlled.”
Cassandra stared at her.
Then she said something unexpected.
“Mother ordered the intimidation. Not the crash.”
Sarah felt cold.
“What intimidation?”
“The mechanic was supposed to create a fuel-system warning. Andrew would cancel the flight. Mother wanted him frightened before the board vote.”
“And what did you do?”
Cassandra’s eyes filled briefly.
“I told the mechanic Andrew would fly anyway.”
“Why?”
“Because I wanted the vote delayed.”
“Did you know the plane could crash?”
“I knew there was risk.”
The room went silent.
Rachel asked, “Are you confessing?”
Cassandra looked at the recorder.
“No. I am explaining why you cannot trust Lenora.”
Sarah understood.
Cassandra was trying to divide them.
May you like
But she had also admitted knowledge.
The recording became evidence.
