For a moment, Imani felt something unexpected.
Pity.
Not because Walter had treated her kindly.
He hadn't.
But because the old billionaire was suddenly confronting a violation far more personal than an accounting problem.
Somebody had used the name of the woman he'd loved for nearly four decades.
And the document appeared designed to help take control of the company they'd built together.
Walter lowered himself into his chair.
For several seconds, he stared at the signature.
Then whispered, “Eleanor would never have agreed to this.”
Julian's expression changed.
For the first time, his anger seemed to contain genuine pain.
“You don't know what Mom would've wanted.”
Walter looked up.
His eyes narrowed.
“What?”
Julian took a breath.
“She wanted me involved in the business.”
“She wanted you to learn.”
“She wanted you to trust me.”
Walter's face hardened.
“Trust is not the same thing as handing you everything you demand.”
Julian laughed bitterly.
“There it is.”
The room became silent.
The younger man looked toward the investors.
Then toward his father.
“Even now, you can't admit that I'm capable of leading.”
Walter stared.
“Capable of what? Hiding documents? Using your dead mother's name?”
Julian flinched.
For a moment, he looked almost like the schoolboy who'd brought home excellent grades and been told to do better.
Then the expression disappeared.
His face hardened.
“You've spent my entire life making sure I never measure up.”
Walter was silent.
Julian continued.
“Every successful deal was yours. Every mistake was mine. Every room belonged to you.”
The billionaire took a breath.
“Julian, this isn't about your childhood.”
His son laughed without humor.
“It's always about my childhood when you get to explain why I don't deserve anything.”
For several seconds, nobody spoke.
Then Keiko interrupted.
“Gentlemen, this conversation should continue with independent counsel present. We need to preserve the documents and determine what has actually been executed.”
Walter closed his eyes.
He nodded.
The attorney turned toward the other participants.
“No one should sign or alter the disputed materials. We also need to identify all copies and any instructions already sent to the escrow agent.”
Hiroshi Aizawa rose from his chair.
He looked deeply troubled.
Then he addressed Walter in Japanese.
「この取引は、信頼がなければ成立しません。」
This transaction cannot proceed without trust.
The interpreter translated.
Walter nodded slowly.
“I understand.”
Hiroshi continued.
「信頼を守るためには、真実を確認しなければなりません。」
To protect that trust, we must establish the truth.