CHAPTER 2 — The Wrong Family
Damian's father finally stepped forward.
Charles Cross.
Owner of Cross Industries.
One of the wealthiest developers on the East Coast.
He adjusted his tailored jacket and forced a confident smile.
"This has gone far enough."
He looked directly into one of the cameras.
"Richard, whatever this misunderstanding is, let's settle it privately."
No answer.
Charles cleared his throat.
"I'll make a generous donation."
Silence.
"I'll apologize."
Nothing.
His confidence began cracking.
Then every television screen changed again.
Not security footage.
Financial records.
Bank transfers.
Property deeds.
Corporate ownership charts.
Charles frowned.
"What is this?"
A calm female voice answered.
Mine.
"Three years ago, Cross Industries accepted funding through twelve shell corporations."
Another document appeared.
"Those shell companies belonged to Ashford Capital."
Charles's face drained of color.
"No..."
Another file.
Then another.
Loan agreements.
Voting shares.
Emergency clauses.
Hostile acquisition documents.
My voice remained calm.
"Every expansion your company celebrated..."
"...was financed by my family's investment group."
Guests stared at Charles.
He looked as though the floor had vanished beneath him.
His attorney rushed toward one of the screens.
"No..."
"This can't be..."
Then he found the signatures.
Charles's own.
Signed years earlier.
Buried inside financing contracts nobody had bothered reading.
One paragraph.
Twenty-seven words.
In the event of criminal misconduct causing reputational harm...
Ashford Capital retained immediate controlling interest.
Effective immediately.
Cross Industries...
no longer belonged to Charles Cross.
It belonged...
to us.
Damian stared at his father.
"Dad..."
Charles couldn't answer.
Because security officers had already entered the ballroom.
Not police.
Corporate compliance investigators.
Federal financial auditors.
Internal forensic accountants.
Every single one carrying sealed warrants.
May you like
The empire hadn't just fallen.
It had been erased.
