“I came because I trusted him.”
The room went quiet.
Director Kline looked at Aaron for a long moment.
“Is that correct?”
He swallowed.
“Yes.”
“And did you also neglect to mention,” she continued, “that your wife is the legal owner of the foundation funding this entire redevelopment initiative?”
Aaron’s face drained of color.
Ms. Rowe stepped back.
“That’s not possible,” she said.
Director Kline turned slightly, addressing both of them.
“The land trust, the grants, the discretionary funds keeping this center operational through next year,” she said evenly,
“all trace back to Clara’s family, and more importantly, to Clara herself, who chose to remain anonymous because she believed this work should never be about power.”
I felt something loosen in my chest, not triumph but clarity.
“I didn’t want influence,” I said quietly.
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