CHAPTER 2 — The Empire Begins to Fall

Three days later, Richard Harrington woke up to a nightmare.

Not the kind with screaming.

Not the kind with chaos.

Something much worse.

Silence.

His company’s stock had dropped overnight.

Major investors were demanding answers.

Banks had frozen several accounts.

And his most trusted executives were suddenly receiving subpoenas.

Richard rushed into his office.

“What is happening?”

His assistant looked terrified.

“Someone leaked the financial investigation.”

Richard froze.

“Who?”

The assistant didn’t answer.

Because both of them already knew.

Across the city, Harrison sat calmly inside his office.

A prosecutor placed a file on his desk.

“You have enough evidence for fraud charges.”

Harrison opened the folder.

“I don’t want enough.”

The prosecutor frowned.

“What do you want?”

Harrison looked out the window.

“I want everything.”

Meanwhile, Vanessa was falling apart.

She had expected police.

Maybe a lawsuit.

She never expected Harrison Cole.

Her lawyer warned her:

“You don’t understand who you attacked.”

Vanessa rolled her eyes.

“He’s just her brother.”

The lawyer became serious.

“No.”

“He is the reason powerful people sleep with lawyers beside their beds.”

Vanessa’s confidence disappeared.

That evening, Richard visited Khloe’s hospital room.

She looked at him silently.

For years, she had loved this man.

Now she couldn’t recognize him.

“Khloe…”

“I’m sorry.”

She looked at him.

“Are you?”

Richard lowered his eyes.

“I made mistakes.”

“A mistake is forgetting an anniversary.”

Her voice shook.

“Two years with another woman is a choice.”

Richard had no answer.

Then Khloe asked:

“Did you ever love me?”

Richard remained silent.

And that silence broke her more than any confession.

Harrison entered the room.

Richard immediately stood.

“You’re destroying my life.”

Harrison looked at him.

“No.”

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He stepped closer.

“I’m showing everyone what you built.”