Chapter 17 - Victor confronts Octavia
My father insisted on meeting her.
Lawyers present.
No private confrontation.
Victor walked in using a cane he did not medically need every day but enjoyed dramatically.
Octavia said:
“Uncle Victor—”
He dropped the fake memorandum on table.
“When did I become this stupid?”
She stared.
He continued:
“Male-line continuity?”
Silence.
“You think I built a freight company in 1978 so a century later some mediocre boy gets control because he has the correct plumbing?”
Julian was not present.
Probably wise.
Octavia said:
“You always talked about keeping Maddox leadership inside the line.”
“Family line.”
“You wanted Silvio.”
“Because he worked twenty years.”
“You wanted a grandson.”
Victor leaned forward.
“I wanted competent grandchildren.”
Then:
May you like
“If Betsy wants nothing to do with any of us at eighteen, that may prove she’s the smartest candidate.”
I almost smiled.
