Chapter 12 - THE BETRAYAL
Adrian spent the entire night searching for James Carter.
He finally found an address.
A small house outside Dallas.
James was older now.
When Adrian knocked, an elderly man opened the door.
They stared at each other.
James recognized him immediately.
“You're Richard's son.”
Adrian nodded.
“I came to apologize.”
James almost smiled.
“Seven years late.”
“I know.”
James stepped aside.
Adrian entered.
The house was modest.
Nothing like the Sterling mansion.
James offered him coffee.
Adrian accepted.
Then James said something unexpected.
“Your father tried to protect me.”
Adrian looked up.
“I thought you hated him.”
“I did.”
“Why?”
“Because I thought he knew what happened.”
James explained that after the investigation, Richard had personally offered him compensation.
James had refused.
“He didn't want money,” Adrian said.
“No.”
James looked toward the window.
“He wanted you to understand what responsibility meant.”
Adrian was silent.
Then James revealed the betrayal.
The executive who had stolen the money had been Adrian's favorite mentor.
A man named Victor Hale.
Victor had deliberately encouraged Adrian's reckless behavior.
He had told Adrian that money existed to be spent.
He had reinforced his entitlement.
Why?
Because Victor believed Adrian would eventually inherit the company.
He wanted influence over the future chairman.
Adrian felt sick.
He had trusted Victor.
For years.
Victor had helped him make investments.
Recommended purchases.
Introduced him to wealthy friends.
Adrian suddenly understood.
Someone had been shaping him.
Not excusing him.
But shaping him.
James handed him a folder.
“Your father discovered it years ago.”
Inside were communications between Victor and several executives.
They had planned to use Adrian's future position to control Sterling Holdings.
Adrian looked at the documents.
Then he realized something terrifying.
Victor was still inside the company.
And if Adrian had inherited everything as planned...
Victor would have gained access to billions.
Adrian immediately called Richard.
This time, Richard answered.
“Dad.”
A pause.
“I know about Victor.”
May you like
Richard was silent.
Then he said:
