CHAPTER 9: Julian Cross Loses His Calm

Julian tried charm next, which told Noah the law was failing him.
"Noah, there are ways to discuss this without destroying your father's legacy in a parking lot."
Noah almost smiled.
"You mean without destroying your invoices."
The attorney's cheeks tightened.
Behind them, another car rolled into the lot. Then a second. Headlights swept across Adrienne's coat and turned the black fabric silver for a second.
Board members. Noah recognized two silhouettes before the doors opened.
Marlene Ruiz from operations, who had once taught him how to read fuel costs. Thomas Bell, who had cried at Everett's funeral without letting anyone see his face. A compliance director Noah had never met but already liked because she carried a file box instead of flowers.
Adrienne turned to Julian with panic disguised as anger.
"You said this was contained."
Noah held the drive in his palm.
"That was your second mistake. Dad never built anything important with only one exit."