I said quietly.
Valerie rolled her eyes.
“Oh, are you going to call Trevor and cry about how mean we are? He doesn’t care, sweetie. Nobody does.”
I pulled up my contacts and hit dial. The phone rang twice before a familiar voice answered.
“David, it’s me. I know it’s Christmas, but I need to ask you something important.”
I paused, looking directly at my father.
“That offer you made last month about partnering on the Henderson Technologies acquisition. I’m in. Full partnership. Fifty-fifty split on everything.”
My father’s head snapped up.
“What are you talking about?”
I held up one finger, continuing my conversation.
“Yes, I’m sure. I’ll bring my full investment portfolio. The stock options, the savings, all of it. We’re talking about thirty million, correct?”
Another pause.
“Perfect. I’ll have my attorney draw up the papers this week. Thanks, David. Merry Christmas.”
I ended the call and looked at my family. The room was completely silent.
“What was that?”
my father demanded, his face reddening.
“That was David Henderson. His family owns Henderson Technologies, the company your construction business has been trying to partner with for the past eighteen months.”
I sat back down and pulled my daughters close.
“Did you know I went to MIT with David? We’ve stayed friends. When his company started looking for investors last year, he approached me first.”
My mother’s wine glass paused halfway to her lips.
“You don’t have that kind of money.”
“Actually, I do. My salary at my tech company is two hundred and forty thousand a year. I’ve been there for nine years, including stock options that have multiplied in value. I’ve been investing carefully since college, plus the insurance payout from Grandma Ruth’s policy that she left specifically to me. Remember the one you all assumed was worthless because she was just a crazy old woman who played the stock market?”
I smiled without humor.
“Turns out she was pretty smart. That fifty thousand she left me fifteen years ago has grown substantially.”
Valerie leaned forward, her smugness faltering.
“You’re lying.”
“MIT. David’s company is merging with another tech firm next quarter. They need a capital injection for the expansion. My investment guarantees me a seat on the board and profit sharing on all future contracts.”
I turned to my father.
“Including the contract your construction company desperately needs to stay competitive. The one worth approximately forty million over the next five years.”
My father’s face had gone pale.
“You wouldn’t.”
