Chapter 11 - FATHER AND SONDad looked at me.
For once, he didn't look angry.
He looked defeated.
“Give me the folder.”
“No.”
“Please.”
That single word shocked me.
Dad never said please.
“Why?”
“Because you don't understand Victor.”
“Then explain.”
Victor stepped forward.
“Your father has already explained enough.”
I looked at him.
“So you're Victor Hale.”
“Yes.”
“You framed me.”
“Framed is such an emotional word.”
“You forged my signature.”
“We created opportunities.”
“You stole from my family.”
He smiled.
“Your family gave me everything.”
Dad looked at him.
“Victor, stop.”
Victor ignored him.
“Your father came to me when his company was drowning.”
“I know.”
“He borrowed money.”
“And couldn't repay it.”
“Correct.”
“So you took the family trust.”
“No.”
He smiled.
“We took leverage.”
I held up the folder.
“You tried to put $1.2 million of debt in my name.”
“You had the cleanest profile.”
“Meaning I was disposable.”
Victor's smile disappeared.
“Meaning you were useful.”
Dad stepped forward.
“Just give me the folder.”
“No.”
“You'll ruin us.”
“You ruined us.”
He looked away.
Then I asked:
“How many people have you done this to?”
Victor answered.
“Enough.”
“How many?”
“Thirty-seven.”
I froze.
Thirty-seven families.
Thirty-seven people.
He had built an entire business around debt manipulation.
And my father had volunteered us as his next victims.
I looked at Lauren.
She was crying.
“Tell him,” I said.
She looked at Victor.
Then at Dad.
“Tell him.”
Dad whispered:
“He's right.”
I stared at him.
“What?”
“I can't stop Victor anymore.”
Victor turned toward him.
“You knew the consequences.”
Dad shook his head.
“I thought I'd fix it.”
“You've had three years.”
Dad's voice cracked.
“I was trying.”
Victor raised his hand.
“Enough.”
Then sirens sounded outside.
Victor froze.
Police.
He looked at me.
“What did you do?”
I smiled.
“Nothing.”
Victor stared at me.
Then Evelyn walked through the warehouse door.
Behind her were two federal investigators.
Victor's expression changed instantly.
One investigator stepped forward.
“Victor Hale?”
“Yes.”
“We need to ask you some questions.”
Victor looked at Dad.
Dad looked at me.
Everything seemed to stop.
The investigator turned toward me.
“Are you the owner of Blackridge Holdings?”
“Yes.”
“Do you recognize these documents?”
He held up copies.
I looked at them.
“Yes.”
“Did you sign them?”
“No.”
Victor suddenly laughed.
Everyone turned.
“You don't understand,” he said.
“Understand what?” I asked.
Victor looked directly at me.
“Blackridge isn't the only company in your name.”
My blood went cold.
“What?”
May you like
He smiled.
“There are six.”
