Chapter 11 - THE PRESS CONFERENCE
The press conference lasted eleven minutes.
It destroyed three decades of Thomas Bennett’s reputation.
Ethan admitted that financial irregularities existed.
He admitted he had concealed evidence.
He admitted his affair with Vanessa.
Then he said something no one expected.
“I participated in decisions that betrayed Mary Bennett personally and professionally.”
Cameras flashed.
“I believed I could manipulate a corrupt system from inside it.”
“I was wrong.”
“I became part of that system.”
Mary watched from her mother’s apartment.
Eleanor sat beside her.
At the end, a reporter shouted, “Are you asking Mary Bennett to forgive you?”
Ethan looked exhausted.
“No.”
“Why not?”
“Because forgiveness is not something I’m entitled to.”
Mary turned off the television.
Eleanor studied her.
“You still love him.”
Mary said nothing.
“That doesn’t mean you should take him back.”
“I know.”
“Love and self-respect are not enemies, Mary.”
Mary looked at her mother.
“Did you forgive Dad for keeping secrets from you?”
Eleanor smiled sadly.
“Some.”
“Did you forgive all of them?”
“No.”
That answer mattered.
The next morning, Bennett Holdings’ stock recovered half its losses.
Then federal investigators arrived.
Not to arrest Mary.
To execute warrants on Thomas’s offices.
Thomas had disappeared.
His private plane remained in New Jersey.
His passports had been flagged.
His accounts were frozen.
But he was gone.
Vanessa agreed to provide testimony.
Ethan turned over the rest of his records.
For the first time, Mary believed Thomas might actually lose.
Then Olivia entered Mary’s office holding an accounting report.
“We have another problem.”
Mary almost laughed.
“Of course we do.”
Olivia placed the report down.
“Thomas has been using Northstar to buy our debt.”
“We know.”
“No.”
Olivia pointed at several figures.
“He accelerated the maturity dates.”
Mary read carefully.
Bennett Holdings owed $320 million within seventy-two hours.
“That’s impossible.”
“He triggered cross-default clauses after the scandal broke.”
Daniel entered behind Olivia.
“If we don’t pay, Northstar can seize four major properties.”
“How much cash do we have?”
“Available without destroying operations?”
Olivia swallowed.
“About one hundred eighty million.”
Mary looked through the windows at Manhattan.
Thomas might go to prison.
But even from hiding, he could still destroy her father’s company.
Then Eleanor spoke from the doorway.
“What if you don’t pay him?”
Mary turned.
“We lose the properties.”
“No.”
Eleanor walked inside.
“What if you make Northstar unable to collect?”
Daniel understood first.
“If Mary becomes controlling beneficiary before the deadline.”
Mary looked at him.
“You said Thomas has thirty days to challenge.”
“He does.”
“Unless?”
Daniel began smiling.
“Unless the current administrator is convicted, incapacitated, or voluntarily relinquishes control.”
Mary leaned back.
Thomas would never voluntarily surrender.
May you like
Unless she gave him something he wanted more.
And suddenly, Mary knew exactly what that was.
