Chapter 9 - THE FAMILY MEETING
Victor Cole stood at the head of the family boardroom table when Adrian
entered.
He was impeccably dressed, silver-haired, and composed. The same man who
had comforted Adrian at James’s funeral now looked at him with mild
disappointment.
“You’ve been digging through old business records,” Victor said.
“I have.”
“Why?”
“Because the records say James was alive after you told us he was dead.”
Victor’s expression did not change.
“Grief can make people see patterns where none exist.”
Adrian placed the Northstar ledger on the table.
“Then explain these payments.”
Victor glanced at the pages.
“Medical expenses. Security. Business costs. You’re misreading them.”
Adrian placed the forged death report beside the ledger.
“Dr. Price says he never signed this.”
Victor’s eyes moved briefly toward Gabriel.
“An old doctor protecting himself.”
“And the jeweler’s repair record?”
“An object can be moved from one person to another. It proves nothing.”
Adrian leaned forward.
“James is alive.”
For the first time, Victor’s expression shifted.
Only slightly.
But Adrian saw it.
Victor sat down. “Where is he?”
“Safe.”
“You have no idea what you’ve brought back into this family.”
“I brought my brother home.”
Victor’s voice lowered. “James was unstable. He was injured. He could
have destroyed everything.”
“He found the Northstar transfers.”
“He didn’t understand the business.”
“He understood enough to know you were stealing from it.”
Victor stood.
“You think your father built this family by following rules? You think
you can run an empire without making difficult decisions?”
“I think you arranged an explosion, falsified a death report, and kept a
man hidden because he discovered your fraud.”
Victor looked toward the board members.
“These are serious accusations.”
“They’re supported by the ledger, medical records, and testimony from
people you threatened.”
Gabriel placed copies of the evidence on the table.
Adrian continued. “The original records have already been provided to
independent investigators. The accounts are frozen. The family office is
under review.”
Victor’s composure cracked.
“You would hand your own uncle to outsiders?”
“You handed my brother to a false identity and an empty grave.”
Victor stepped closer.
“James should have stayed dead.”
The room went silent.
Adrian held his gaze.
“Thank you. That’s the first honest thing you’ve said.”
The board’s legal counsel entered with two investigators. Victor was
asked to remain while the records were reviewed. He attempted to leave,
but the investigators stopped him and explained that he would be
questioned about the forged documents and financial transfers.
Adrian did not touch him.
He did not need to.
As Victor was escorted out, he turned once.
“You’ll regret tearing this family apart.”
May you like
Adrian answered quietly.
“You did that five years ago.”
