Chapter 21 - Raymond's Wisdom
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Emily left the chapel feeling a renewed sense of purpose, but she knew she needed counsel from the one man who had navigated the treacherous waters of the Saint Claire legacy longer than anyone else. She took the private elevator up to the penthouse suite where her Uncle Raymond maintained a small, quiet office overlooking the city.
Raymond was sitting by the large floor-to-ceiling window, a heavy wool blanket draped over his frail legs, quietly sipping a cup of hot black tea. He looked incredibly old today, but his eyes were as sharp and perceptive as ever.
"I saw the morning papers," Raymond said before Emily could even open her mouth to speak. "Richard is throwing an incredibly expensive temper tantrum."
Emily sat in the leather armchair opposite him, letting out a weary sigh.
"He is trying to turn the board and the donors against me, Uncle," Emily explained, handing him one of the printed articles. "He is twisting the narrative, making it look like my rejection of his money was a petty, personal vendetta. It's working. Some of our major sponsors are getting nervous."
Raymond didn't even look at the article. He casually tossed it into the small wastebasket beside his chair.
"Mud washes off, Emily," Raymond said softly, turning his gaze back out to the sprawling city below. "When you build a house on a strong, honest foundation, you don't panic when someone throws a handful of dirt at the windows. You simply wait for the rain to wash it away."
"But what if the board loses faith?" Emily pressed, her anxiety lingering.
"The board respects strength, and they respect truth," Raymond countered, leaning forward slightly on his silver cane. "Richard is attacking you in the press because he is terrified. He knows that if people look closely at Vanguard Medical, his entire empire will collapse. You have the flash drive from the whistleblower, don't you?"
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"Yes," Emily nodded firmly. "My legal team is verifying the internal emails right now."
"Then stop worrying about the tabloids," Raymond commanded gently, a proud, fierce smile touching his weathered lips. "You have the sword of truth in your hand, my dear. Stop defending yourself, and start swinging."
