Chapter 6 - True Wealth

"Madison," Evelyn spoke suddenly, shifting her sharp attention to the young woman.

Madison straightened up, wiping her eyes quickly. "Yes, Mrs. Whitmore?"

"Your boss, Mr. Cole, was ready to sacrifice your father’s dignity to protect his own comfort," Evelyn said. "And for a few seconds down at the gate, I saw you hesitate. You were ashamed of your father, weren't you?"

The blunt truth hit the room like a cold blast of air.

Franklin looked at Madison, his eyes warm, protective, and free of blame. "Evelyn, she didn't mean anything. She worked hard to get into that corporate world. It's different for young folks now."

"No, Dad," Madison interrupted, her voice shaking but resolute. She set her untouched cup on the glass table and looked Evelyn dead in the eye. "Mrs. Whitmore is right. I was ashamed. I was worried about my promotion, my image, what Nathan Cole would say at Monday's partner meeting. I forgot that the only reason I went to college was because my dad worked sixteen-hour shifts in winter grease pits until his spine pinched."

Fresh tears broke through her mascara. "I was a coward. Dad... I'm so sorry."

Franklin reached across the small gap between their chairs and pulled Madison’s hand into his own. His rough thumb brushed over her knuckles. "Maddie, you don't ever have to apologize to me for trying to succeed. But don't you ever let those people make you think where we come from is something to hide."

Evelyn watched them in silence for a long moment, a softness settling into the lines of her weathered face.

"Well," Evelyn murmured, setting her cup down with a light clink. "It seems this morning wasn't a total waste. An arrogant boy learned a lesson, a coward lost his contract, and a daughter found her father again."

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Marcus stepped forward. "Mrs. Whitmore, Flight C-18 is cleared for boarding. The First Class cabin has been cleared of any hostile parties. Or would you prefer the Vance Gulfstream?"

Evelyn smiled at Franklin. "What do you say, Franklin? Want to finish what we started in First Class?"