I walked away before he could convert that into another discussion about family loyalty.

At the cabin that night, I told Silas I needed to earn a living independent of both him and Langford Textiles.

He did not offer me a position at his company.

He helped me make a list of regional manufacturers with operations vacancies, then stepped back while I wrote my own applications.

It was a small thing.

It mattered enormously.

Just before midnight, Amara sent Nora a short message: the board had authorized an independent review after the company’s lenders requested assurance.