Chapter 7 - The Co-FounderVictoria shook her head.
“That document was never executed.”
The foundation attorney, pale and sweating, examined the signatures.
“It was.”
Silence.
Emma had owned thirty percent of the original Langford Children’s Fund.
She agreed to delay public recognition because Victoria claimed wealthy donors would not support an organization publicly co-founded by a single mother from a working-class neighborhood.
Emma accepted the insult because children needed the program.
Victoria later removed her name entirely.
The attorney continued reading.
“If Emma died before receiving her shares, they transferred to her child.”
Everyone looked at Lily.
The crying girl on the ballroom floor owned nearly one-third of the foundation.
Victoria laughed nervously.
“She is eight.”
The elderly donor replied:
“And apparently less corrupt than the adults.”
A few guests nodded.
Lily did not smile.
She looked at her mother’s signature.
“She wanted her name back.”
The manager found a handwritten addition.
Emma had created a misconduct clause.
If any Langford publicly humiliated, threatened or removed Lily because of her mother’s status, Emma’s stake increased.
Victoria stared.
“How much?”
The attorney swallowed.
“Fifty-one percent.”
The room changed.
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Victoria had tried to pull a poor child’s handbag away in front of dozens of witnesses.
And by doing so, she may have handed Lily control of the entire foundation.
