Chapter 7 - The Confrontation at the Prescott Estate
Instead of retreating, Colton decided it was time to end the cycle completely.
On the weekend before Christmas, the entire extended Prescott family gathered at the main estate for the annual trust committee meeting and holiday toast. Unannounced, Colton and I walked through the front doors. We didn't bring Asa—we kept him safe at home with a trusted babysitter.
The grand living room was filled with aunts, uncles, cousins, and family board members. When Foster saw us walk in, his eyes narrowed slightly, but he quickly put on his polished host mask.
"Colton. I see you’ve decided to join us," Foster said loudly, drawing the attention of the entire room. "I hope you brought an apology for your mother."
The room grew quiet. Dozens of eyes turned to us.
Colton didn't back down. He stepped into the center of the room and pulled a folded, black-and-white photograph from his coat pocket. He held up the 1987 family reunion photo for everyone to see.
"Thirty-five years ago, you cut Uncle Julian out of this family because you decided his disabled body made your high-society friends uncomfortable," Colton said, his voice ringing loud and clear through the vaulted living room.
May you like
Gasps echoed across the room. Estelle went pale, grasping the back of a sofa.
"You tried to do the exact same thing to my son at Thanksgiving," Colton continued, stepping right up to his father. "You told my seven-year-old boy to eat in the kitchen because he makes people uncomfortable. And for years, I let you bully this family into thinking your arrogance was 'tradition.'"
