Chapter 9 - THE LEGACY
The Harper Center became a global success.
Evelyn was named as one of the most influential women in the world.
She used her wealth to fund education for girls in small towns.
She wanted them to know that their minds were their greatest assets.
She never heard from the Ashcrofts again.
They were rotting in their cells,
forgotten by the world that once worshipped them.
Graham died of a heart attack five years into his sentence.
Beatrice followed a year later.
Evelyn didn't attend the funerals.
She had already said her goodbyes in the restaurant.
She was sitting in her office one afternoon,
looking at the New Haven property deeds.
She had turned the old house into a library.
It was full of books and light.
She thought of the man she had been married to.
She realized that she didn't hate him anymore.
Pity was all she felt.
He had everything,
but he wanted more.
He had a wife who loved him,
but he wanted a shield.
He had a legacy,
but he wanted a shortcut.
He had been the clumsy one all along.
He had tripped over his own greed.
She looked at the clock.
It was time for her meeting with the new board.
She stood up and adjusted her suit.
It was cream.
The color of a fresh start.
She walked into the boardroom,
the men and women standing up to greet her.
“Good morning,
everyone,”
May you like
she said.
“Let’s look at the numbers.”
