Chapter 7 - The Cousin's Arrogant Threat
================================================================================
On Thursday morning, the heavy iron gates of the estate buzzed open.
A sleek silver Porsche 911 roared up the gravel driveway. Julian Bennett stepped out, wearing a tailored three-piece Italian suit, gold cufflinks gleaming in the autumn sun, carrying a leather legal folio under his arm.
He walked into the grand parlor as if he already owned the deed to the estate.
I stood near the arched entryway, dressed in a simple, elegant navy dress Mrs. Gable had provided, holding a tray with fresh coffee.
Julian stopped, his eyes raking over me with dismissive, arrogant amusement.
“Well, well,” Julian scoffed, taking off his designer sunglasses. “The new caregiver survived two weeks. Let me guess… Alex hasn't thrown a crystal glass at your head yet?”
“Mr. Bennett is resting comfortably in his study,” I replied, keeping my voice cool and professional.
Julian sneered, stepping past me into the study without knocking.
Inside, Alexander sat in his motorized wheelchair behind the massive mahogany desk, a wool blanket draped carefully over his lap. His hands rested on the armrests, his face arranged into a hollow mask of dull, exhausted submission.
“Alex, cousin!” Julian exclaimed with theatrical warmth, dropping the leather folio onto the desk. “You look terrible. But don't worry, the nightmare is almost over.”
Alexander didn't move. “What is this, Julian?”
“It’s your salvation,” Julian smiled, leaning over the desk with predatory confidence. “At Monday’s shareholder meeting on Wacker Drive, the institutional investors are going to challenge your mental fitness. They’ve seen the reports. They know you haven't attended an executive briefing in two years.”
Julian tapped the document with his manicured forefinger.
“Sign over your executive voting proxy to me. I take over as CEO of Bennett Global Holdings. You retain your fifty-million-dollar annual dividend, your quiet mansion, and you can spend the rest of your days having pretty maids spoon-feed you soup.”
Alexander looked down at the signature line. “And if I refuse?”
Julian’s smile turned into a cold, venomous slit.
“If you refuse, Alex, the board will vote for an involuntary conservatorship. I’ve already secured the affidavits from Dr. Vance and three independent neurologists testifying that your cognitive faculties have deteriorated past the point of legal competence.”
Julian leaned down until his face was six inches from Alexander’s.
“You’re a crippled ghost, cousin. You’ve been dead since that car went over the embankment. Stop fighting and sign the paper.”
Alexander slowly lifted his head, his slate-gray eyes meeting Julian’s without a flicker of fear.
“I’ll see you at the board meeting on Monday, Julian,” Alexander whispered softly.
Julian laughed, a sharp, mocking sound that echoed through the grand room.
May you like
“Don't bother bringing your wheelchair, Alex,” Julian sneered, turning on his heel. “It will only embarrass you in front of the press.”
================================================================================
