A flicker of distaste crossed her face, but her voice was warm and polite when she answered. "Hello, Dad."


    "Come to the house tomorrow," Larry said, his tone brisk. "I have something to discuss with you."


    Amara''s stomach dropped. She had a feeling this was something big. "Okay, Dad. I''ll be there."


    After hanging up, she tried to guess what he wanted to announce. She suspected it was about the Sullivan familypany shares. He had hinted at it when he visited her in the hospital. The real question was, how did he n to divide them?


    That night, Amara went to bed early. The next morning, she took her time with her makeup, wanting to present a confident and polished image. She drove to the Sullivan family home.


    As she expected, Larry didn''t get straight to business. He had the kitchen prepare a full lunch, and she, Elowen, and Fiona all sat down at the dining table together. The food was delicious, but the atmosphere was strangely tense. Usually, even if she and Larry didn''t have much to say, Fiona, a master of social graces, would keep the conversation flowing, paying special attention to Amara. Elowen, too, was usually quite talkative, even if herments were mostly veiled insults.


    But today, both Fiona and Elowen were grim-faced. It was bizarre to see the normally smooth and diplomatic Fiona wearing her displeasure so openly. Had she and Larry had a fight? And Elowen''s animosity toward her was more tant than ever, practically dripping with venom. The fact that Fiona wasn''t even trying to rein her in was even more peculiar.


    The meal was an oppressive affair. Afterward, Larry summoned her to his study. "I imagine you can guess why I called you here," he said. "I''ve decided to distribute thepany shares."


    This was it.


    Amaraposed herself. "I did have a feeling," she said calmly. "But I''m not sure what you have in mind."


    Larry seemed pleased with her poised response. "I know you haven''t been home much over the years, and you must have faced many hardships on your own. Apensation, I''m going to give you the majority share of thepany." Cóntent


    Amara almost scoffed at the first part of his statement. Most of her hardships hade from this very family. But she kept her expression neutral When his next words registered she was genuinely shocked.


    He was giving the majority share to her? Was she hearing him correctly?


    a document across the


    Larry pushed a do


    desk. It was a share transfer agreement. Amara''s eyes widened as she read the numbers. He was nning to give her that much? She had assumed he would split the majority between Fiona and Elowen. After all, he had always seemed to feel guilty toward them, showering them with affection and resources. But now, in thisplete reversal, he was giving the most valuable portion to her.


    She did a quick mental calction. If she received this many shares, there would be very little left for Fiona and Elowen. No wonder the mood at lunch had been so strange. They must have already known.


    It was so surprising she felt like she was dreaming.


    Then, Larry pulled the documents back. "I haven''t signed them yet," he said, his expression hardening. "If you want me to, there''s one condition."