Chapter 3 - HIS FAMILY MOVED IN ONE FAVOR AT A TIME
Grant’s family had never possessed my father’s money.
That did not bother me.
The way Grant spoke about them made me admire him more.
His mother, Margaret, had raised him and his younger brother, Scott, after their father left. Grant worked through college. Scott had bounced between businesses, always almost successful and always needing one more chance.
At first, Grant asked for small favors.
Could Scott’s logistics company bid on a Vale Meridian vendor contract?
Could Margaret attend the charity gala?
Could we give Scott access to unused warehouse space for six months?
I said yes.
Family helping family seemed harmless.
Then Scott’s temporary warehouse arrangement became permanent.
His company received additional contracts.
Margaret joined the foundation board.
A cousin appeared in procurement.
Another relative became a consultant.
Whenever I questioned it, Grant had an explanation.
“They’re qualified.”
“It saves the company money.”
“You know what my family went through.”
That last sentence ended most conversations.
Grant had learned that guilt was cheaper than persuasion.
The change became obvious only after Evelyn brought me a report two years ago.
She placed it on my kitchen island while Grant was traveling.
“Scott Mercer’s companies received eleven million dollars in contracts last year.”
I stared at her.
“Is that unusual?”
“For a company with forty-seven employees? Yes.”
“Grant says they’ve expanded.”
“They have. Primarily through us.”
I closed the report.
“Evelyn.”
“Claire.”
“You’ve never liked Grant having this much control.”
“That is not true.”
“It feels true.”
She studied me.
“Your father once told me the most dangerous person in a family company is not the greedy relative. It’s the competent person who becomes convinced he deserves exceptions.”
I became angry.
Not at Grant.
At her.
I told myself she was protective of Dad’s legacy.
I told myself Grant had earned his position.
I told myself our marriage was strong enough that she was making ordinary corporate relationships sound sinister.
That evening, I mentioned Scott’s contracts.
Grant became very quiet.
Then hurt.
“After everything I’ve done for your father’s company, you’re auditing my family?”
“Evelyn brought it up.”
“Of course she did.”
He walked away.
An hour later, I apologized.
That was my second mistake.
The next morning, Grant suggested Evelyn should no longer receive internal financial reports unless required.
May you like
I agreed.
That was my third.
