Grandma Carter’s office was quiet except for the low voice of her assistant reading out schedules and documents. She sat behind her heavy oak desk, her silver hair pinned neatly, her sharp eyes scanning the papers laid before her. Though age had lined her face, authority still radiated from her like a mantle she would never set aside.

The assistant had just begun explaining the final details of an upcoming charity event when the door burst open. Rebecca rushed inside, her face pale, her eyes red as though she had been crying. The sudden sound made the assistant pause mid-sentence, startled. Behind Rebecca, the secretary hurried in, clearly flustered.

“I’m...