“Cecily is not slow. Cecily was abandoned, and I will not allow her father’s prejudice to continue after my death,” I read.

Harold said nothing. His hands, I noticed, were trembling uncontrollably.

“The will concludes,” I said, “I built this company from nothing. I choose who carries it forward. I choose Cecily.”

Robert Hunter removed his reading glasses. “Jonathan, you can confirm this document is legally binding?” he asked.

“I can,” Jonathan said. “The 2015 will is superseded. As of this moment, Cecily Ashford is the majority shareholder of Ashford Holdings.”

Margaret Coleman smiled quietly. Richard Hunter and Susan Price exchanged glances.