“And because Belmont Maritime belongs to you.”

“No. It belongs to a dead man everyone invokes when they want me to obey.”

Amelia’s face hardened. “Your father sacrificed his health for that company.”

“My father also told me never to confuse duty with surrender.”

“He is not here to correct your interpretation.”

Silence filled the room. Amelia stood, and at the door she glanced back toward the patched ceiling and worn furniture. “Poverty has a way of looking noble for a few weeks.