Chapter 6 - WHAT CHASE WHISPEREDBy noon, Aaron's attorney, Rebecca Sloan, was sitting at his dining table.
She had already read the proposed settlement twice.
“This is aggressive.”
Aaron folded his arms.
“That's one word.”
Rebecca tapped the page.
“They're offering to resolve the property issue if you acknowledge no assault occurred.”
“I’m already paying for the property issue.”
“Exactly.”
“So why send it?”
“To create paper.”
Aaron nodded.
Rebecca continued.
“If you sign this, it becomes useful later. If video surfaces, they can say you formally agreed no misconduct occurred.”
Aaron looked toward the staircase.
Milo was upstairs.
“I'm not signing anything.”
“Obviously.”
“Respond that the repair invoice will be paid directly.”
“And the physical incident?”
“We preserve our options.”
Rebecca studied him.
“You could file a police report.”
“I know.”
“Do you want to?”
Aaron looked out through the windows toward the Pacific.
“I want Milo involved as little as possible.”
“Understandable.”
“But I don't want Chase believing a child's dignity is something he can negotiate away.”
Rebecca nodded.
“I'll respond.”
Aaron hesitated.
“There's more.”
He told her what Milo had said about Chase's whispered remark.
Kids like you need to learn where they belong.
Rebecca's expression changed.
“That helps establish state of mind, but Milo's testimony would be the evidence unless someone else heard it.”
“I’m not interested in making an eight-year-old perform his pain for adults.”
“Then don't.”
Aaron appreciated that she didn't push.
After Rebecca left, Dana called.
“We completed the first culture interviews.”
“And?”
“Not pretty.”
“Illegal?”
“Some potentially actionable employment issues, but counsel is reviewing.”
Aaron stepped into his office.
“What kind?”
“Retaliation complaints. Expense manipulation allegations. One former assistant says Chase ordered her to change the stated purpose of personal travel on internal reimbursement forms.”
Aaron rubbed his temple.
“Documents?”
“She saved emails.”
“Get them authenticated. Don't overstate anything.”
“Already in process.”
“And the analyst who worked for him?”
Dana paused.
“Her name is Elena Voss. She says Chase humiliated employees routinely. Especially junior people and service workers.”
Aaron looked toward the black card lying in a drawer.
“That tracks.”
“She also says he had a favorite phrase.”
“What phrase?”
Dana read from her notes.
“People need to know where they belong.”
Aaron went silent.
“Say that again.”
“‘People need to know where they belong.’ Apparently he used it when talking about staff.”
Aaron closed his eyes briefly.
Milo had heard almost the same sentence.
This wasn't just Chase losing his temper.
It was a pattern.
“Set a formal diligence review.”
“We're already doing one.”
“No. Expand it.”
Dana understood.
“Governance and conduct?”
“Yes.”
“Aaron, that's going to delay the investment.”
“Then it delays.”
“Barron needs the money this quarter.”
“That's his timeline, not ours.”
Across town, Chase was in a much less calm meeting.
His attorney, Gavin Pierce, paced inside a glass conference room.
“You sent the agreement?”
“Yes.”
“Without waiting for me?”
“It was standard language.”
“No, Chase. Standard language doesn't casually deny an incident that may be on camera.”
Chase rolled his eyes.
“The kid wasn't hurt.”
“You slapped a child.”
“He broke—”
“I don't care if he set the car on fire.”
Chase stood.
“Watch how you talk to me.”
Gavin stared at him.
“That is precisely the problem.”
Chase went still.
“What?”
“You keep assuming the person across from you is someone you can intimidate.”
“I know how to handle people.”
“You knew how to handle Whitcomb?”
Chase's jaw tightened.
Gavin pushed a tablet across the table.
On it was Aaron's profile.
Not social-media speculation.
Actual filings.
Companies.
Board roles.
Private-equity positions.
Family office holdings.
“His firm is considering investing eighty-five million dollars into Barron Mobility.”
“I know.”
“And you assaulted his son two days before the investment committee meeting.”
“I know.”
Gavin leaned closer.
“Do you understand the conflict this creates for him?”
Chase laughed nervously.
“Conflict for him?”
“Yes. He can't simply crush your deal now without you claiming retaliation.”
That hadn't occurred to Chase.
For the first time, he saw an opening.
“So he's trapped.”
Gavin's eyes narrowed.
“That is not what I said.”
“But if he kills the deal—”
“Do not.”
“Do not what?”
“Do not be stupid enough to threaten Aaron Whitcomb with a retaliation claim while our books are under diligence.”
Chase stiffened.
“Our books are fine.”
Gavin didn't answer.
That silence bothered him.
“What?”
“I spoke with your CFO.”
Chase's face changed.
“Why?”
“Because he called me.”
“About?”
Gavin took a folder from his briefcase.
“He says Whitcomb Capital expanded the review.”
Chase stared at the folder.
“To what?”
May you like
“Executive expenses.”
The room seemed suddenly smaller.
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