Chapter 4

The next morning, my father had his assistant summon me to Harbor Point’s final preconstruction meeting as if nothing had happened the night before.

Harbor Point was Whitmore Holdings’ largest project of the year—a waterfront data center with an investment of more than one billion dollars. Sebastian managed the project and reported to the board. I handled the risk review.

For the past three months, I had rebuilt the financing model and reviewed the contractor’s qualifications.

By the time my report reached the board, Sebastian’s name was on the cover.

If the project succeeded, it proved he could lead.

If something went wrong, I was the one expected to sign for it.

Once the meeting began, Sebastian pushed the final authorization across the table.

“We only need Risk’s signature.”

I read through the documents.

“The project hasn’t received final environmental approval. I can’t sign this.”

Sebastian frowned.

“The project team said it’s a paperwork issue. We can resolve it after construction begins.”

“Then construction can wait until it’s resolved.”

My father tapped the table.

“The investors, bank representatives, and city officials are already here. We are not canceling today’s groundbreaking.”

“You can choose to proceed, but I won’t certify that the risk has been resolved.”

I pushed the document back.

“Whoever decides to proceed can sign it.”

Sebastian looked frustrated.

“Callum, I know you’re still upset about last night’s trust agreement, but family issues shouldn’t interfere with company business.”

“This has nothing to do with the trust. The environmental approval is incomplete. Anyone reviewing these documents would reach the same conclusion.”

Vivienne, Whitmore Holdings’ general counsel, was also at the table. She reviewed the documents, then pushed them back toward me.

“Note that the remaining approval will be obtained after construction begins. I’ll have outside counsel follow up. You won’t be left responsible for anything that isn’t yours.”

“But my name is the only one on the authorization.”

She looked at me but said nothing.

Celia was attending on behalf of Ashbourne Capital, one of Harbor Point’s major investors.

“Sebastian has spent a year preparing for this project. If the groundbreaking goes ahead today, the board will approve his appointment this afternoon.”

“So I have to sign?”

“You already have an established professional reputation. Even if the project requires remediation later, it won’t destroy your career.”

She glanced at Sebastian.

“But if Harbor Point is delayed today, he could lose his board seat.”

I nodded.

“If the project succeeds, Sebastian gets the board seat. If it fails, the liability goes on my record.”

No one spoke.

My father answered for Sebastian.

“He is the project lead and is about to join the board. He cannot sign a document acknowledging a major compliance risk before his appointment.”

“So his professional record has to remain clean, but mine doesn’t.”

Again, no one denied it.

My mother appeared in the doorway. She had been attending a foundation meeting downstairs and came up after hearing about the argument.

“Callum, you have more experience than Sebastian. You’ve handled much more difficult projects. Even if there is a problem later, you’ll know how to fix it.”

She went to stand beside Sebastian.

“But he has worked toward this for an entire year. If the project stops now, all that effort will be wasted.”

“My work and my professional reputation don’t matter?”

“No one said that.” She frowned. “We’re only asking you to help your brother this once.”

Sebastian immediately stood.

“Stop pressuring Callum. If he thinks this is unfair, I won’t take the board seat.”

My mother caught his arm and turned to me.

“You only have to sign one document. Sebastian could lose his entire future.”

So that was what they meant when they called me stronger.

My future was something they could risk to protect his.

I closed the file.

“I understand.”

My mother’s expression softened. She thought I had finally agreed.

I took my resignation letter from my briefcase and placed it beside the authorization.

“This is my notice of resignation. Effective today, I no longer work for Whitmore Holdings.”