Could not.
Lawrence waited.
Eventually the shaking slowed.
“Tell me.”
Wesley did.
Every word.
The laugh.
The card thrown down.
The shoes.
The waiting chair.
The accusation.
Grandma.
Security.
The phone.
Lawrence listened.
His face remained controlled.
Only his eyes changed.
Colder with every sentence.
When Wesley finished, Lawrence asked:
“Did you do anything disrespectful?”
“No.”
“Did you lie?”
“No.”
“Did you threaten anyone?”
“No.”
Lawrence nodded.
“Then hear me clearly.”
He placed both hands on Wesley’s shoulders.
“You did nothing wrong.”
Wesley’s eyes filled again.
“But they—”
“They were wrong.”
“What if Grandma’s papers are wrong?”
“They are not.”
“How do you know?”
Lawrence almost smiled.
“Because I helped prepare them.”
Wesley blinked.
“What?”
“Your grandmother made me promise not to tell you the amount.”
“Why?”
“She wanted you to grow up understanding money as opportunity, not identity.”
Wesley looked toward the bank.
“Bradley thinks I’m nobody.”
Lawrence followed his eyes.
“That man doesn't get to decide who you are.”
Wesley whispered:
“I don't want to go back.”
Lawrence understood.
He crouched again.
“We don't have to.”
Wesley looked relieved.
Then Lawrence continued:
“But I think you might want to someday wish you had.”
Wesley frowned.
“Why?”
“Because if we walk away now, that room stays exactly as he left it.”
Lawrence pointed gently toward the doors.
“With his version.”
“And you deserve to leave with yours.”
Wesley looked afraid.
Lawrence squeezed his hand.
“I'll be beside you.”
“Will you yell?”
“No.”
“Fight him?”
“No.”
“Then what?”
“Ask questions.”
Wesley knew his uncle.
That sounded worse for Bradley than yelling.
Another vehicle entered.
Luxury SUV.
A tall woman stepped out.
Professional suit.
Short dark hair.
Patricia Edwards.
Regional director.
She walked quickly.
“Mr. Brooks.”
Lawrence stood.
“Patricia.”
She looked toward Wesley.
Her expression changed.
“This is your nephew?”
“Yes.”
Patricia’s face tightened.
“I’m sorry.”
Wesley looked toward Lawrence.
Lawrence said:
“Patricia oversees this region.”
Wesley nodded.
She crouched slightly.
“Wesley, I heard some of what happened.”
“I want you to know that what you described is not acceptable.”
Wesley said nothing.
Patricia stood.
She looked toward Lawrence.
“I received your call.”
“And?”