Chapter 4
Jasper’s deposition lasted three hours and twelve minutes.
Miles did not show it to me that night.
He gave me a six-minute section because the emergency board meeting concerned capacity and intent.
Jasper appeared on screen wearing a blue sweater.
His face had become thin, but his voice remained steady.
A court reporter identified the date.
Dr. Elena Park confirmed he understood his family, assets, company, and legal decisions.
Miles asked:
“Why are you reaffirming the trust?”
Jasper answered:
“Because my parents intend to claim everything I built as Beaumont family property.”
“Do they know you believe that?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“My father told me Hazel would be unable to maintain the house. My mother asked whether Toby was biologically mine because she believed that might reduce his inheritance.”
My breath stopped.
Toby was Jasper’s child.
No question.
Avery had looked for a way to sever him from the estate anyway.
Jasper continued.
“They offered to support Hazel if she signed company votes back to them.”
“Did Hazel know?”
“No.”
“Why not tell her?”
“I was ashamed that my parents were negotiating around my death.”
He looked directly toward the camera.
“Hazel, if you see this, I am sorry I tried to protect you through secrecy. It was still control, even when I called it love.”
I began crying.
Jasper knew.
Not everything.
Enough.
He described the house.
The ring.
The lake property.
The company shares.
Then Miles asked:
“Do you believe either parent may intimidate your children?”
Jasper closed his eyes.
“My father struck me when I challenged him at sixteen. My mother called it correction. I have not seen him hit Toby. I am afraid grief and money will remove whatever restraint remains.”
Toby stood in the hallway behind me.
I had not heard him approach.
His face changed.
“Dad knew Grandpa hit kids?”
“He knew what happened to him,” I said.
“Why did he let us visit?”
There was no answer that repaired it.
“We will talk about that honestly.”
Toby turned away.
Jasper’s preparation had saved us on the porch.
His silence had also exposed the children to people he knew could be dangerous.
Love did not make every choice right.
At eight the next morning, I joined the Beaumont Logistics board meeting by secure video from Miles’s office.
Frederick appeared through counsel because he had been released pending proceedings with no-contact restrictions.
Avery sat beside him.
Her face was composed again.
Board members filled the conference room.
Miriam Cole.
Chief financial officer Samuel Price.
Operations director Lena Ortiz.
Three outside directors.
Two investor representatives.
Frederick’s attorney began.
“Jasper Beaumont’s recent trust actions occurred during severe illness, narcotic use, and undue influence by his wife.”
I felt every eye turn toward my square on the screen.
Miles answered with the physician declaration, court-reporter certification, and recorded deposition.
No argument about my virtue.
Evidence of Jasper’s capacity.
Frederick interrupted.
“That video is private.”
“You challenged his capacity,” Miles said. “His own explanation is relevant.”
Avery leaned forward.
“Hazel has no corporate experience.”
Miriam Cole spoke.
“She is not seeking appointment as chief executive today.”
Avery looked surprised.
I had made the decision at six that morning.
Becoming chief executive in grief would satisfy Frederick’s story that I wanted power.
The company needed operational stability.
I nominated Lena Ortiz, the existing operations director, as interim CEO pending an independent search and audit.
Lena had worked beside Jasper for fifteen years.
She knew the fleet.
The employees.
The contracts.
She was not family.
My trust’s shares supported her.
Miriam supported her.
The employee representative supported her.
Lena was appointed.
Frederick’s proposal failed.
May you like
Then the board addressed the audit Jasper requested before death.
Samuel Price went pale.
