Seven months after our divorce, I rushed into St. Jude’s Children’s and Women’s Hospital, still angry at my ex-wife, only to learn that she had just given birth to twin boys, and both of them were mine. Before the night was over, a nurse would place a brass key in my hand and tell me to use it before my own family arrived. And what was waiting for me beyond that was even more shocking.

I walked into the boardroom with Margaret Lin, Evelyn Shaw’s senior legal partner, and Marcus Vance.

My father looked up as I came in, showing no visible surprise on his calm face.

“I fully expected you to show up here today in an emotional state, Alexander,” my father said smoothly.

“I’m not emotional, Father, I’m just deeply exhausted,” I answered calmly.

“Exhaustion often leads to foolish mistakes,” he warned coolly.

Margaret Lin walked to the center of the table and placed the verified accounting files directly on the polished wood.

“We are formally postponing the transition vote indefinitely,” Margaret announced firmly.