L

from the passenger seat. "I can't believe he d

no surprise he had left it to you, Alma. If there'

hat I was going there to do. I was scared to my bones that t

he airport, heading to Los Angeles. I wasn't going there to take over, of course. It'd be l

em. I glanced at Velma beside me, busy with her iPad. Carl's image flashed in my mind, and the deep-seate

mething wrong?" Velma's voice pulled me out of my reverie, a

is fine, s

right?" Her bulged as she asked

which I'd clear things out with the lawyer and return immediately. I had no intention of tak

es in the rearview mirror. I ignored the question in them and respond

etty big deal, Alma. It might be hectic and scary at firs

e from that family and get it over with. I'm done with them.

rely sighed. Business wise, this was too big an opportunity

Linda and her mother then? I could already picture their fumy heads and red ears at the news of the succes

my step-sister? The mere thought of it caused an ache in my head. We arrived at

for you to face this on your own?" There was so much earnestness in his

we'd be back in a few days. I'm serious about not wanting anything to do wit

an't come," Velma said softly, tears welling up

hug her properly. Rodney lightly patted her shoulders. "Y

ight

want to say hi, okay? Also, don't give your mom a hard time, and

to slightly pull her away. "We should get going, o

away, Alma. If

have it un

u go, sup

ing mess until we were out of earshot. I spent the entire hour com

at Velma, who was looking out the window with wide eyes, her excitement palpable. "Her

to my nerves. Finding a taxi, we climbed in and settled ourselves. As the vehicle started

ction. My heart skipped a beat as I realized the figure bore a striking resemblance to Carl, my

re settled with me for a second, only a second, because never c

voice broke through my thought

se. "Nothing, sweetheart. Just thought I saw s

er brow furrowed in concern. "Ar

reassuringly. "I'm fine, Velma. Really. Let

I turned my attention back to the passing scene

as probably my paranoia. My last experience here wasn't exactly friendly. Every passing car seemed to ho

ed for us. Stepping out of the taxi, I took a deep breath, trying

ement as she took in the surrou

enthusiasm. "Let's go insid

with warmth and comfort. Velma immediately began exploring, her laughter filling the air. I called Rodney immediately after we

e, my grandfather's lawyer, would be expecting us soon for our meeting. As I dialed his

've arrived in Los Angeles, and

fee mingling with the sound of chatter around us. He greeted me with

an, his tone serious. "I'm afraid I have

news? I didn't want to know anymore, yet I was compelle

appears that there has been some foul play wi

ords sank in. "Embezzlement? But

d idea of who could be behind this. I

iphoning off funds for their own gain. Your grandfather was aware of the situation before his passing, and h

How could anyone betray my grandfather's

out a folder. He opened it to reveal a handwritten letter, signed by my grand

aith in your ability to set things right. He believed that you were the only o

writing on the page. My grandfather had always been my r

barely above a whisper. "I'm not ready for this

derstand, Alma. But the truth is, the company is in a dire situation. Your grandfather's

y, Mr page. This isn't something I can just take on. I unders

m out in front of me. My heart sank as I saw the financial reports

e said gently. "Your grandfather believed in you, and I believe in you too.

ng myself. "No, thank you." I squeezed the letter in my hand. "After everything. I'm not coming her

s. "Well, if you change your mind, Alma. There's a family meeting held at the J

purse. "Do not

one hou

e utmost den of thieves, and for the past five years, I'd dreaded co

mama?" Velma asked,

ooked down at her vibrant face. Come on, s