Part 2: My son h.i.t me 30 times in front of his wife… so the next morning, while he sat in his office, I sold the house he thought was his.

"Good morning."

Trevor stared at me.

His expression hardened.

"Mother, what are you doing here?"

I looked at him.

"Coming to work."

Malcolm cleared his throat.

"Gloria, perhaps this isn't the best time."

I turned toward him.

"After thirty-two years, Malcolm, I think I've earned the right to decide when I come into my own office."

Nobody moved.

Then I noticed the documents in front of them.

At the top were four words.

**EMERGENCY LEADERSHIP TRANSITION PLAN.**

My stomach tightened.

I picked up the first page.

It proposed temporarily removing me from executive control.

Appointing Malcolm as acting chief executive.

And establishing Trevor as successor.

I looked around the table.

"Who authorized this meeting?"

Malcolm looked uncomfortable.

"We were discussing possible contingencies."

I placed the paper down.

"Contingencies for what?"

He hesitated.

"Your health."

I stared at him.

Then I slowly removed my sunglasses.

The bruising around my cheek was still visible.