“It’s done, my sweet girl,” I whispered, the first tear finally breaking free, tracing a hot path down my wrinkled cheek.

“The monsters are gone.”

Mr. Halden stepped up beside me, placing the ivory envelope gently on the closed lid of the casket.

“The board has already requested an emergency meeting for tomorrow morning, Margaret,” he said softly, his dry voice imbued with a newfound reverence.

“They’ll want to know who’s taking the helm.

They’ll try to bully you into selling the shares back to them.”

I wiped the tear from my cheek, my spine straightening.