Chapter 13 - The Sins of the Father
Thomas Ward’s recorded face looked thinner than Alex remembered.
Cancer had hollowed his cheeks.
His voice remained controlled.
“Marcus discovered the private accounts during the Sterling acquisition.”
“He threatened to expose them.”
“I gave him authority to manage the system in exchange for silence.”
“I told myself I was protecting the company.”
“I was protecting my name.”
Alex watched without moving.
Thomas explained that the relief trust had been used as temporary collateral for hidden investments.
The money was always returned before annual audits.
Until Marcus began taking more than he replaced.
Javier Herrera discovered irregularities after emergency equipment funds disappeared from his project.
He reported them.
Thomas ordered Marcus to fix the problem quietly.
Marcus disabled alarms, altered reports, and allowed construction to continue.
Thomas learned the full truth after Javier’s death.
He began assembling evidence.
Then his health collapsed.
“I should have gone to the authorities,” Thomas said.
“I did not.”
“I spent my life believing a confession would destroy everything I built.”
“Silence destroyed it first.”
The video ended.
Alex stared at the blank screen.
Lucia stood near the vault door.
“My husband died because your father was afraid of losing his reputation.”
“Yes.”
She expected resistance.
Instead, Alex faced her fully.
“My family owes you the truth.”
“No settlement.”
“No private agreement.”
“No nondisclosure document.”
“The entire record becomes public.”
Julian warned him that releasing the files could destroy Ward Global.
Banks might freeze credit.
Investors would flee.
Thousands of employees could lose their jobs.
Alex listened.
Then he looked at Javier’s letter.
“If I hide this to protect the company, I become my father.”
Naomi began preparing the disclosure.
Ruiz secured the drive.
Before they could leave the bank, Charles Prescott appeared on a television in the lobby.
He was giving a live press conference.
“My daughter has been manipulated by Alexander Ward,” he announced.
“Mr. Ward suffered an emotional breakdown during the wedding and has since confined several people at his estate.”
“He is using a child’s confusion to fabricate accusations against my family.”
Reporters shouted questions.
Charles continued.
“Ward Global’s board must act before an unstable man destroys a public company.”
Julian checked his phone.
An emergency board meeting had been scheduled for noon.
The directors planned to remove Alex as chief executive.
Marcus had sent them medical records suggesting Alex suffered from severe psychiatric episodes.
The documents were false.
But they carried the signature of Alex’s private physician.
Alex recognized the strategy.
Phase two had never depended entirely on the wedding.
If Genevieve failed to control him as his wife, Marcus would remove him through the board.
May you like
Alex checked the time.
They had fifty-eight minutes.
