Thirty Percent
Chapter 13 - Thirty Percent
The independent audit confirmed the Monroe ownership claim.
Abigail became the second-largest shareholder in Whitmore Holdings.
Reporters expected her to demand cash.
Harold’s allies expected her to force a sale.
Victoria expected revenge.
Abigail surprised everyone.
She proposed an employee ownership plan.
Ten percent of the recovered Monroe interest would be transferred gradually to long-term hotel workers.
Five percent would fund healthcare and scholarships for employees’ families.
The remaining shares would stay in a family trust managed jointly by Abigail and Sophie.
A board member asked, “Why give away what your father was denied?”
Abigail answered, “Because he built hotels with workers whose names disappeared too.”
The proposal passed by one vote.
Nathan voted yes.
Victoria, attending remotely as part of her cooperation agreement, cast the deciding vote.
Afterward, Abigail found Nathan alone in the conference room.
“You could become CEO again,” she said.
“The board offered.”
“And?”
“I declined.”
She raised an eyebrow.
“Still punishing yourself?”
“No.”
He looked through the windows toward the city.
“I want to rebuild the original hotel. Not as a monument to my grandfather. As a place that tells the truth.”
Abigail smiled.
“What would you call it?”
Nathan turned toward her.
“The Monroe-Whitmore House.”
It was the first time her family name came first.
Abigail walked over and took his hand.
Their marriage had begun beside a document designed to erase her.
Now that same history was being rewritten in public records.
But one person remained outside the new future.
May you like
Victoria had not spoken to Sophie since confessing.
And Sophie did not intend to let her disappear quietly.
