Her father waited in his study.
He stood beside the fireplace.
A folder of financial documents rested on his desk.
She entered.
Then folded her arms.
"Am I getting another lecture?"
He looked toward her.
For several seconds, he remained silent.
Then said.
"Sit down."
She stared.
But eventually obeyed.
The patriarch lowered himself into the chair opposite.
He looked older than she remembered.
The lines around his eyes were deeper.
His posture less commanding.
He opened the folder.
Then pushed several documents toward her.
She glanced down.
"What is this?"
He took a breath.
"The family trust's investment records."
Her expression changed.
She looked toward the pages.
Then back at him.
"Why are you showing me this?"
He swallowed.
"Because your attorney is going to ask."
The hostess stared.
For several seconds, neither spoke.
Then she asked.
"Did you use my trust in the waterfront deal?"
The patriarch hesitated.
"Certain entities held property interests."
She shook her head.
"That's not an answer."
He looked away.
She continued.
"Did you put my name on transactions you didn't disclose?"
The older man closed his eyes.
For a long moment, he remained silent.
Finally, he answered.
"Your beneficial interest was part of the structure."
The hostess stared.
Her expression became incredulous.
"And you didn't tell me?"
He sighed.
"You weren't involved in the day-to-day decisions."
She laughed bitterly.
"But you made me sign things."
He looked toward her.
"Those were standard family documents."
She shook her head.
"Apparently not."
For the first time, the old billionaire looked genuinely ashamed.
He took a breath.
"I should have explained."
The hostess leaned back.
Her eyes filled with anger.
Then she whispered.
"You always told me the lawyers handled everything."
He nodded slowly.
"I know."
She stared toward the fireplace.
For several seconds, she remained quiet.
Then asked.
"Did you know who that woman was before the gala?"
The patriarch froze.
The question hung between them.
The hostess studied him.
"Dad?"
He looked toward her.
"Yes."
Her face changed.
"What?"
He swallowed.
"I knew she was Meridian's chief executive."
The hostess stared.
Then laughed once.
A sharp, disbelieving sound.
"You knew?"
He nodded.
She leaned forward.
"Then why didn't you tell me?"
The patriarch looked down.
"The investor announcement was confidential."
She shook her head.
"You could have told me she was important!"
The old man raised his eyes.
For several seconds, he stared at her.
Then said quietly.
"Would it have changed how you treated her?"
The hostess opened her mouth.
Then stopped.
The question struck harder than she expected.
She looked away.
Her father continued.
"Would you have thrown the cake if you'd known she controlled the financing?"
The blonde woman swallowed.
For a long moment, she remained silent.
Finally, she whispered.
"No."
The patriarch closed his eyes.
Then answered.
"That's the problem."
The daughter stared at him.
He continued.
"You weren't ashamed because you hurt someone."