Chapter 21 - 29 resolve major conflicts. Good.
Mercer family fractured.
Paul accused Richard of sacrificing him to protect Sloane and Harbor Point.
Richard responded publicly only once:
“My brother is responsible for his decisions.”
Privately, harder.
Grace knew because Richard told Daniel.
“I taught everyone in my family that Mercer Urban was the thing we protected.”
Daniel understood too well.
Family businesses created strange theology.
Company as legacy.
Legacy as identity.
Identity as justification.
Grace thought of her own smaller version.
Harbor House.
Would she someday excuse something because “the restaurant needed it”?
She wrote one line on whiteboard in office:
What are we asking someone else to pay for our convenience?
Mia hated it.
“Depressing.”
“Useful.”
Months later, Paul sent Grace a letter.
No apology.
A defense.
He argued Harbor Point employed thousands and justified aggressive reputation protection.
Grace read half.
Stopped.
Filed it.
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Understanding motive did not require listening forever.
That was another boundary.
