Chapter 12 - VICTOR DESTROYS THE HALE LEGACY
Hale Holdings held an emergency board meeting forty-eight hours later.
Every director expected Victor to protect the company.
Instead, he invited federal investigators.
Daniel’s ledgers were placed on the table.
Three board members immediately requested attorneys.
Victor stood at the head of the room.
“My family built this company.”
“Some of them built it honestly.”
“Others didn’t.”
No one spoke.
“My father committed fraud.”
“Daniel Cross expanded it.”
“My mother concealed it.”
“And members of this board profited from it.”
One director stood.
“You’ll destroy the company.”
Victor looked at him.
“No.”
“I’m destroying the lie.”
Investigators entered.
Two executives were escorted out.
Then a third.
Stock prices fell.
News helicopters surrounded Hale Tower.
Reporters called Victor reckless.
Some called him courageous.
He ignored both.
Eleven days after the mansion blackout, Ethan turned two.
There was no giant party.
No ballroom.
No hundred guests.
Just Victor.
Lily.
Ethan.
Rebecca.
Detective Brooks.
And a chocolate cake Ethan mostly destroyed with his hands.
At exactly 10:14 a.m., Rebecca received confirmation.
Ethan’s trust became permanent.
His shares were protected.
Daniel could never touch them.
Victor lifted his son.
“You have no idea how much trouble you caused before turning two.”
Ethan shoved cake onto Victor’s cheek.
Lily laughed.
Victor looked at her.
It was the first uncomplicated sound he had heard in weeks.
Then Rebecca’s phone rang.
She answered.
Her expression changed.
“What?”
Victor immediately noticed.
“What happened?”
Rebecca lowered the phone.
“Daniel Cross was being transported to federal court.”
Victor’s stomach tightened.
“And?”
“The transport vehicle was hit.”
Lily went still.
“Is he dead?”
May you like
Rebecca shook her head.
“Daniel escaped.”
