Michael sat stiffly in a high-backed chair in the waiting area of the Talbot, Wilson, Murphy & Assoc. Legal offices, glancing around the sleek, minimalist decor that seemed more fitting for a corporate boardroom than a place to talk about family affairs. Natalie sat beside him, arms folded, her lips pressed together in a firm line, clearly preparing for a confrontation.

After a few tense minutes, a woman approached them, dressed in a tailored suit that seemed like it had been made just for her. She extended her hand to Michael first, then to Natalie.

“Hello, Mr. Aubrey, Ms. Graves. I’m Clara Evans, and I’ll be assisting with today’s meeting. Please, follow me.”

The two exchanged a quick look before standing. Natalie’s eyes were like daggers, as though she were already suspicious of this woman who was, in her opinion, just another cog in the legal machinery set against Michael. Clara led them down a glass-paneled corridor, her heels clicking softly on the polished floor, then stopped at a pair of imposing wooden doors. She pushed one open, revealing a large, opulently furnished conference room. One wall was lined with bookshelves, filled with thick, bound legal tomes. On the opposite side of the room was a floor-to-ceiling window, giving a panoramic view of the bustling spaceport beyond.

At one end of the table, five chairs had been carefully arranged, each with an array of neatly stacked documents and tablets. A smaller desk sat slightly to the side with a recording device already set up. Michael’s chair waited for him on the opposite side, along with another seat set a bit further back, presumably for Natalie. She immediately pulled the second chair closer, positioning herself directly beside him, a clear message to the lawyers that she was here to stand guard, not just observe.

Clara gestured for them to sit and then excused herself. “The attorneys will be with you shortly. Please, make yourselves comfortable.”

As they sat, Michael noticed the subtle touches around the room—nothing overtly extravagant, but the attention to detail suggested a place where serious, high-stakes business took place. The wait was only a few minutes, but it felt like hours. Finally, the door opened again, and the lawyers filed in one by one. Three men and two women, each impeccably dressed, their appearances so polished that they almost looked like they belonged in a magazine spread for high-end legal services. They took their seats in silence, each offering a polite nod but little else in the way of warmth or introduction.

One of the men, with a chiseled face and a streak of silver in his dark hair, took the lead. He cleared his throat before speaking, his voice resonant and commanding. “Good afternoon, Mr. Aubrey, Ms. Graves. I’m Roger Talbot, senior partner here at Talbot, Wilson, Murphy & Assoc. Legal, and we’re here today to discuss the matters pertaining to the Aubrey estate. Thank you for coming in.”

Natalie wasted no time in cutting him off. “Let’s be clear from the outset, Mr. Talbot. I’m here to ensure Michael’s rights are protected, and I have no intention of allowing any shady legal maneuvers or fine print nonsense to take advantage of him.” She looked around the table, as if daring each of them to challenge her.

The lawyers exchanged a glance, not in the least bit ruffled. The woman to Talbot’s right, who introduced herself as Margaret Hayes, leaned forward slightly, folding her hands on the table in front of her. Her voice was calm and assured. “Ms. Graves, we fully understand your concerns. However, you may rest assured that we are here today to represent the best interests of Mr. Aubrey. In fact, our firm has been retained by the Aubrey family for generations, so our sole commitment is to the wishes of his ancestors.”

Natalie’s skepticism was clear as she raised an eyebrow. “So, you say. But forgive me if I find that hard to believe. Lawyers don’t usually sit on the other side of the table as their clients without looking for some angle.”

Margaret didn’t flinch, though a faint smile tugged at the corner of her mouth. “Your skepticism is noted, Ms. Graves, but please understand that our duty is to Michael and to the principles established by his family over many years. Our role is one of stewardship, not ownership or control. The Aubrey's were extremely particular about that.”

Natalie crossed her arms, unimpressed. “And what exactly does that stewardship entail?”

Roger cleared his throat again. “What it entails, Ms. Graves, is the execution of a series of legal trusts and agreements, all established generations before the current Mr. Aubrey’s birth, which ensure that his interests are protected and managed responsibly. As a firm, we operate under strict guidelines set forth by the late members of the Aubrey family, as they were… particular about their legacy.”

Michael’s curiosity piqued despite himself, and he glanced over at Natalie, who gave a slight nod, her expression a mixture of distrust and curiosity.

“Excuse me, but… why? Why all this… protection?” Michael asked, his voice tentative but clear.

The woman across the table, Margaret, turned her gaze to him, her expression softening. “Mr. Aubrey, your family held a set of beliefs and values that were quite unique. They were members of the Society of Friends, a religious group committed to principles of peace, humility, and equality. However, they also understood the world of business well. They saw no conflict between living a humble life and investing wisely in order to secure their family’s future.”

Roger leaned forward, nodding as he continued. “Yes. While they lived simply, your family was astute in business. They made investments not only in property but in the infrastructure that supports interplanetary travel. They were early adopters, foresaw the expansion of space industries, and made commitments that have, over generations, yielded substantial returns.”

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Michael’s brow furrowed as he processed this new information. “So, they made a lot of money… but they never spent it?”

“Not exactly,” Roger replied, choosing his words carefully. “They spent on what mattered to them—education, health, and ensuring that their legacy wouldn’t be burdensome. They lived comfortably, but they didn’t indulge in luxuries for luxury’s sake. Instead, they reinvested much of their wealth into causes they believed in. And as per their wishes, the investments were managed in a way that aligned with their values.”

Natalie let out a low, incredulous chuckle. “So, you’re saying this modest, humble family that lived like ordinary folks just happened to own vast investments and properties?” she began, leaning forward. "I've always thought of Quakers as modest, community-oriented people. How did they come to amass such wealth?"

“Ms. Graves, I am Martin O’Brian” said the last lawyer that came in said and smiled then continued “You’re not alone in wondering about that. Quakers, or the Religious Society of Friends, had a very unique relationship with wealth. They adhered to values of simplicity, honesty, and integrity, which actually served them quite well in the business world. Their faith emphasized fair treatment and respect for others, and they were known to treat employees, customers, and partners with exceptional fairness. This earned them a reputation for trustworthiness.”

Natalie nodded thoughtfully. “So their values attracted business?”

“Exactly,” Martin replied. “In the 17th and 18th centuries, Quakers became highly successful in certain industries, especially banking and manufacturing. You see, many Quakers were excluded from mainstream professions because of their refusal to swear oaths or participate in military service, which didn’t sit well with many governments. So, they focused on trade, craftsmanship, and eventually, finance. They were pioneers in industries like ironwork, pharmaceuticals, and—most famously—banking.”

Natalie raised an eyebrow. “Banking, really?”

“Yes,” Martin said, leaning in. “In fact, Quakers founded some of the earliest and most respected banks in England back on old Earth, like Barclays and Lloyds. Their principles of integrity and transparency made their banks highly reliable, which attracted clients. They also avoided risky speculation, so they built steady, resilient institutions. Over time, their disciplined approach turned into significant profits, which were reinvested into their businesses and communities.”

Natalie’s curiosity deepened. “How did they reconcile accumulating wealth with their values?”

“Well, that was a bit of a balancing act,” Martin explained. “Many Quakers were uncomfortable with excessive wealth, and they felt a duty to use it responsibly. Wealth was seen as a tool for social good, so they reinvested in their communities, established schools, and funded social reforms. It’s no coincidence that Quakers were at the forefront of abolitionism, prison reform, and education initiatives. Their businesses often set high standards for worker welfare, which was revolutionary at the time.”

Natalie nodded, understanding. “So they viewed wealth as something that came with moral responsibility.”

“Precisely,” Martin continued. “Wealth wasn’t just personal; it was a resource to benefit the larger community. That’s why many Quaker fortunes were managed through family trusts and charitable foundations, ensuring that the funds would continue to support social causes, not just private interests.”

Natalie thought for a moment, seeing a connection. “That makes sense for Michael’s family. His mother, Isabella, was passionate about helping others, especially children. It seems like she carried on that tradition.”

Martin smiled, recognizing the parallel. “Absolutely. The values have endured, in some form, through generations. It’s an interesting legacy—not just of wealth, but of a commitment to using it for good. In many ways, the Aubrey's are a modern embodiment of those early Quaker ideals.”

“Yes,” Margaret jumping back into the conversation said simply. “Their intent was not to accumulate wealth for its own sake. They wanted to create a foundation for future generations to thrive without the burden of financial hardship. They took the long view.”

Natalie shook her head, still suspicious. “So then why are you all here? What’s your stake in this?”

Roger didn’t hesitate. “As we mentioned, our role is purely one of stewardship. The Aubrey's retained us to manage and oversee their holdings according to their principles, and those responsibilities have passed down to Mr. Aubrey. We are here to ensure that those principles are upheld and that his interests, as the final beneficiary of their estate, are protected.”

Michael was quiet for a moment, his mind reeling with this new information. He had always thought of his family as ordinary, even if a little eccentric. His grandparents and uncle had instilled in him a love for hands-on work and problem-solving. And now he was being told that this unassuming family had left him a substantial legacy. After a moment, he asked, “So… what exactly did they invest in?”

Margaret responded, “Your family made diverse investments—space-yards, transportation, robotics, and materials processing. But they did so under different corporate names to keep their interests discreet. They weren’t interested in associating their name with wealth. Rather, they wanted to empower industries they felt would contribute to the progress and stability of our sector.”

Natalie still looked skeptical. “Why the secrecy, then? Why not just… live well?” Thinking of the small apartment that Micheal and his uncle shared at the space yard. Or the small almost cramped suite that his grandparents had on the station when she did the welfare checks required of family services during her first couple of years of Micheal's placement.

Margaret offered a small smile. “Because to them, living well meant living in alignment with their values. They didn’t want to become symbols of excess or draw attention away from their principles. They chose to remain in the background, allowing their work to speak for itself. Even their businesses operate under other names, to protect both their family and the ideals they cherished.”

Michael’s head spun with the weight of this knowledge. His family had cared so much about keeping a low profile that they’d hidden what must have been an immense fortune, layering it in trusts, holding companies, and countless investments. But they’d done it all with the hope that he—and others after him—would carry on in their stead.

Roger continued, “We’re here to assist you, Michael, should you choose to honor their wishes. You do need to make a few decisions today. Our role is to advise and facilitate, but ultimately, you have the final say. This is your inheritance, your legacy.”

A strange calm settled over Michael. His family hadn’t left him just money; they’d left him a path, a way to be more than he ever thought possible. And now he understood that this firm, these lawyers, were more than just legal advisors. They were stewards of the Aubrey family’s legacy, protectors of values that ran deeper than wealth alone.

Natalie still watched the lawyers with a careful eye, but the tension in her posture began to ease. She looked at Michael with a newfound respect, as though seeing him in a new light.

“Michael,” she said softly, “this is… it’s bigger than either of us realized.”