Chapter 8 - Grant Had Initially Sided With Melissa About Diane
Grant did not enjoy admitting:
that.
Before the token appeared, he believed his mother was becoming too controlling.
Diane had helped build Parker Coastal Clubs with Grant’s late father.
After his death, she remained a major shareholder and foundation officer.
Grant loved:
her.
He also found her exhausting.
She questioned management.
Called executives directly.
Wanted to review everything.
Melissa often said:
“Your mother doesn’t know where family ends and management begins.”
Sometimes true.
Grant had told Diane:
“Step back.”
Diane answered:
“Stop confusing independence with competence.”
Typical.
Then Westbridge.
Grant supported further diligence.
Not yet final approval.
Diane behaved as though the deal was already dangerous.
Melissa argued Diane’s hostility was personal because she disliked Melissa’s growing influence.
Grant said:
“You might be right.”
That sentence encouraged:
Melissa.
Then the attempted transfer.
Grant was shaken when banking logs pointed toward Diane.
He never accused her outright.
But he asked:
“Mom, is there anything you’re not telling me?”
Diane heard:
I think you did it.
Their relationship deteriorated.
Melissa positioned herself between them.
Not dramatically.
Softly.
“Give her time.”
“She’s embarrassed.”
“Don’t confront her in front of the board.”
Grant listened.
Why?
Because Melissa sounded calm.
Reasonable.
Helpful.
Then Evan found the token in her bedroom.
Grant’s fury came partly from realizing how easily Melissa had directed:
him.
But Diane confronted him.
“Don’t make this all her fault.”
Grant stared.
“She framed you.”
“Maybe.”
“Mom.”
“You were ready to believe I might have done it.”
Grant looked away.
Diane continued.
“That belonged to you before Melissa exploited it.”
Hard.
True.
Grant had decades of frustration with his mother.
Melissa did not invent:
that.
She weaponized it.
May you like
Different.
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