Chapter 18 - The Deal Derek WantedPaul Hale cooperated voluntarily.
He was furious.
Not at Allison.
At Derek.
“I introduced him to Stoneharbor because he told me you wanted valuation options,” Paul said.
They met in Mara’s office.
“I never knew about a secret fee.”
Allison believed him only after Owen verified the emails.
Paul had asked several times whether Allison approved discussions.
Derek answered vaguely.
She will.
Still internal.
I’m handling family dynamics.
Paul finally stopped participating.
Stoneharbor continued directly with Derek.
“What was Derek like growing up?” Allison asked.
Paul looked surprised.
“Why?”
“Because I married him and apparently missed several things.”
Paul looked down.
“He hated feeling dependent.”
“On what?”
“Anyone.”
Their father had lost work repeatedly.
Derek learned early that money meant safety.
Then status.
Then control.
“He wasn’t always like this,” Paul said.
Allison nodded.
“I know.”
That mattered to her.
She refused to rewrite Derek as evil from birth.
He had made choices.
Choices became habits.
Habits became character.
Stoneharbor’s internal documents revealed the structure.
Derek promised a fast sale.
Stoneharbor would acquire Wellington for $12.4 million.
Alder Row would receive $250,000.
Derek personally expected a $400,000 completion bonus through a separate advisory contract.
Stoneharbor had identified a healthcare real-estate fund willing to buy Wellington for $17.3 million after entitlement adjustments.
A nearly $5 million spread.
Mara shook her head.
“Stoneharbor may have its own legal exposure depending on what it knew.”
“But Derek was feeding them authority he didn’t have.”
“Yes.”
“And my signature.”
“Yes.”
Camille sat silently.
Her attorney had advised her to speak only when necessary.
Finally she asked, “What was my remaining catch-up?”
Owen checked Derek’s messages.
“He promised you another $320,000 after closing.”
Camille stared.
“So I was supposed to get five hundred thousand total.”
“Yes.”
“And Derek would get six hundred fifty.”
“Directly from transaction fees, roughly.”
Camille laughed once.
A bitter sound.
“He told me we were taking back what Allison stole.”
Allison looked at her.
“And you wanted to believe it.”
“Yes.”
No argument now.
No excuse.
That was progress.
The investigators moved slowly, but the civil case accelerated.
Grant Medical Properties filed claims against Derek and Alder Row seeking repayment and damages.
Stoneharbor withdrew from the Wellington transaction.
The title company closed its file.
The building stayed where it had always been.
Brick.
Glass.
Medical offices.
Physical proof that Derek’s plan had failed.
But he made one last attempt to regain control.
He requested an emergency meeting of Grant Medical Properties’ members.
He still held no ownership.
But he argued his CFO contract required a formal termination payment.
Allison reviewed the contract with Mara.
Derek claimed he was owed eighteen months of compensation.
Nearly $330,000.
“Is he?” Allison asked.
Mara pointed to the misconduct clause.
“Not if termination is for fraud, dishonesty, or material breach.”
“We haven’t convicted him.”
“We don’t need a criminal conviction for a contractual finding.”
At the member meeting, Allison and Camille sat across from each other.
Sixty percent.
Forty percent.
For the first time since Thomas died, both sisters voted the same way.
Terminate Derek for cause.
Camille’s hand shook as she signed.
Allison noticed the tiny break in the final stroke.
Their father had taught Camille the same signature habit.
Camille stared at her own name.
Then looked at Allison.
“He used us against each other.”
Allison signed beneath her.
“Yes.”
Camille swallowed.
“And this is the first business decision we’ve ever made together.”
Allison closed the folder.
“Then remember it.”
Outside the room, Mara’s phone buzzed.
She read the message.
Her expression changed.
“What?”
May you like
Mara looked at both sisters.
“The prosecutor’s office has approved charges.”
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