Accidental Tryst (Charleston #1)(13)

Holy shit. What?

"What?" Isabel Montgomery explodes.

Uncle Robert pushes back from the table. "Outrageous." His arm sweeps out, motioning to Magda, Jeremy, and me. "It's bad enough he's given away some of the family business to Magda and Jeremy. But to include Trystan? What the hell does he know about running our operations here? None. Do you know why?" He leans forward and looks right at me. "Because you've never fucking been here."

My face could win a best sphinx-like impression award. I'm stone cold reactionless, if you don't count my heel bouncing a mile-a-fucking-minute under the table. But he can't see that. I clear my throat instead of reaching across the table and choking him with his own tie. "That's because, Robert, long before I stopped giving a shit, I was never fucking welcome." I don't add that I don't fucking want it either. It's like an insulting afterthought. Like I'm an insulting afterthought. I hate it. Let them sweat. I'll see about speaking with Magda and Jeremy afterwards. I can always put something in place for it to go to one of their heirs or to Beau and Suzy.

Isabel Montgomery lays her hand on Robert's arm. "Sit down, dear. We'll work something out with Magda and Jeremy. I'm sure at this time in their lives, they would rather not worry about the burden of Montgomery Facilities. Isn't that right, Magda?" She turns to her former housekeeper.

Magda doesn't answer, and I silently applaud her. I have a feeling Isabel Montgomery will try to pay her off for a paltry amount. I wonder what the valuation of Montgomery Homes & Facilities is. It was spun off from the main Montgomery Real Estate holdings, which had dwindled to just a few properties after the last real estate crisis.

"To my grandson, Wilson Robert Beauregard Montgomery, the fourth, or “Beau,” I leave my boat, the berth at Charleston City Marina, the berth at Breach Inlet, the large warehouse property located on James Island, and the commercial waterfront lot on Shem Creek."

Beau looks like someone sucked the air out of his chest. He turns a funny shade of pink, and not breathing, collapses his head into his hands. I frown, glancing at the others. Only Suzy is smiling. Isabel and Uncle Robert look confused. And then I remember Beau and me during the summers and his obsession with the antique wooden boat being restored in a workshop next to the marina. So my grandfather had been paying attention. He's just given Beau everything he needs to start a boat building business, including warehouse space in which to work. I hope he has capital saved up. He's going to need it.

Suzy takes his hand and gives it a squeeze, accompanying it with a reassuring smile for her brother. She is so happy for him.

This final action of my grandfather, giving Beau his greatest wish, satisfies me in a way I can't explain, and I find myself reassessing my grandfather. I'd certainly kept my distance. Anger had made that easy. Now, I'm wondering if I'd let him say his piece whether he would have apologized for his part in abandoning my mother and me. But even as I think it, I know I wouldn't have listened. It's Isabel who I can't stand, and more than that, I can't stand that my grandfather was so weak to her will.

Mr. Ravenel continues with instructions for Suzy to receive ownership of the warehouse factory buildings on East Bay Street, and for Uncle Robert and Isabel to have fifty-fifty ownership of the remaining portfolio of Montgomery holdings after the aforementioned properties that have been given to Beau and Suzy are transferred. I can't imagine what would be left in the portfolio. Perhaps just the family home on East Battery. Of course that's worth several million. And the country house.

Looking up, I see Robert is also clearly perturbed by my grandfather splitting up all of the family assets. Isabel's mouth has grown so pinched I fear it may disappear into her face. This reaction alone makes it worth coming here.

The phone in my pocket sends a double vibration informing me of an incoming text. It takes all my will power not to have a look. I tell myself it's not because I want to see what Emmy will text next but that I have a huge business deal back home in New York hanging on tenterhooks.

Mr. Ravenel drones on, and I wonder if now that my part has been addressed as the remainder-man of Magda and Jeremey's gift, I can slide out of here. I'd rather not be around for the fake pleasantries after the meeting, but I know I probably have to sign something. Then I can get on a plane home to New York.

Suddenly everyone is staring at me with varying expressions of shock. There's complete silence.

"What?" I turn to Mr. Ravenel who is looking at me quizzically. I replay the last few words he said that I was hearing and recording, but not really following, a skill learned from being double and triple booked for meetings for the last several years as I built my business at breakneck speed.

Then I swallow. I'm not sure but I think he just said that . . . my brain started recording it the minute I heard my name mentioned.

"Would you mind repeating that part?" I ask, my voice sounding strangled even to my own ears.

Mr. Ravenel stares at me a beat longer and then looks down at his pages.

"To my grandson, Trystan Montgomery, the son of my beloved though estranged daughter, Savannah, may God rest her soul, I leave my remaining voting stock of Montgomery Homes & Facilities, Limited and also hereby name him as my successor to the position of CEO and Chairman of the Board."

Fuck me.





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