Chapter 24 - NORA WALKED BACK INTO HER CENTERThe board invited her to return.
Nora declined.
Margaret Ellis stared.
“You want conditions?”
“Yes.”
“Salary?”
“No.”
“Authority?”
“No.”
Nora slid a proposal across the table.
“Independence.”
The rehabilitation center would separate entirely from the Moretti Foundation.
New governing board.
Public audits.
No family-controlled majority.
Patient representation.
Employee representation.
All major donors disclosed.
Margaret read the document.
“You want Lorenzo's family to give up control.”
“Yes.”
“And continue funding?”
“No.”
That surprised everyone.
Nora continued.
“They can donate through the same process as anyone else. No naming rights. No special votes.”
Margaret leaned back.
“Do you understand how much money you may lose?”
“Yes.”
“What if the center cannot survive?”
“Then we build smaller.”
Silence.
Nora smiled faintly.
“I've done more with less.”
The agreement passed eleven to one.
Lorenzo discovered afterward.
He stared at her over dinner.
“You removed my family's board seats.”
“Yes.”
“You rejected twelve million dollars.”
“Yes.”
“You didn't consult me.”
“No.”
He waited.
Nora waited.
Then Lorenzo smiled.
“Good.”
She narrowed her eyes.
“That's it?”
“You wanted it to be yours.”
“No.”
Nora shook her head.
“I wanted it to belong to the patients.”
Lorenzo's smile disappeared.
“Better.”
Giovanni heard about the decision the next morning.
He typed:
“PROUD.”
Nora kissed his cheek.
“You're still not getting a wing named after you.”
“RUDE.”
“You raised Lorenzo.”
“WORSE.”
Across the room, Lily looked up from coloring.
“What did Grandpa say?”
Nora smiled.
“That your father is annoying.”
Lily nodded seriously.
“He is.”
Lorenzo entered at exactly that moment.
May you like
“I heard that.”
Nobody apologized.
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