Chapter 14: The Last Vote
Ashford Maritime still faced bankruptcy.
Thousands of innocent employees were about to lose their jobs.
The board expected Celeste to liquidate everything.
Instead, she called one final meeting.
Eleanor attended as a legal heir.
Victoria arrived without jewelry, assistants, or arrogance.
Margaret did not come.
Celeste proposed selling the luxury properties, private aircraft, and personal holdings accumulated through fraud.
The money would compensate victims, repair the remaining vessels, protect employee pensions, and establish an independent maritime safety foundation.
The company would be renamed Meridian Harbor Industries.
No Ashford would receive special control.
Several board members objected.
They wanted profit preserved.
Celeste placed the photographs of the three dead Red Meridian sailors on the table.
“These men already paid the highest price for your profit.”
The vote required approval from every surviving heir.
Celeste voted yes.
Eleanor voted yes.
Victoria hesitated.
If she voted yes, she would lose nearly everything.
For years, wealth had been her identity.
She looked at Celeste.
“I cannot undo what I did.”
“No.”
“Will you ever forgive me?”
“I do not know.”
Victoria slowly raised her hand.
“Yes.”
The resolution passed.
Outside the building, employees waited to learn whether their livelihoods were gone.
Celeste told them the company would survive.
But it would never again belong to one family.
Admiral Reed watched from the back of the crowd.
He approached Celeste after everyone left.
“The Navy has offered you promotion to rear admiral.”
She looked at him.
“You knew?”
“I recommended you.”
Celeste smiled slightly.
Then Eleanor ran toward them holding an envelope.
Inside was a letter from Arthur.
May you like
He claimed one final secret remained.
Celeste was not his biological daughter.
