Chapter 14 - THE LAST BOARD MEETINGThomas was brought into a federal building in Washington under heavy security.
He requested one person.
Nicholas.
They sat across from each other in a plain interrogation room.
Thomas looked exhausted.
“I want immunity.”
Nicholas laughed.
“You murdered people.”
“I can prove who ordered it.”
“Richard?”
Thomas shook his head.
“Richard was only part of it.”
“Who?”
Thomas leaned forward.
“The person who inherited the network.”
Nicholas stared.
“Who?”
Thomas placed a photograph on the table.
It showed a woman.
Older.
Elegant.
Powerful.
Nicholas recognized her immediately.
The chairwoman of the Hale Foundation.
His grandmother's closest friend.
She had been the person who welcomed Nicholas at his father's funeral.
The person who helped manage his inheritance.
The person who had advised him since childhood.
Nicholas whispered:
“Margaret.”
Thomas nodded.
“She never died.”
Nicholas looked at Eleanor.
His mother nodded slowly.
“She was the architect.”
Thomas continued.
“Richard wanted control.”
“Thomas wanted money.”
“Margaret wanted legacy.”
Nicholas's expression hardened.
“What does she want now?”
Thomas smiled.
“You.”
The final confrontation took place at the Hale Foundation's annual gala.
Hundreds of guests.
Senators.
Business leaders.
Celebrities.
Military veterans.
Television cameras.
A massive American flag hung behind the stage.
Nicholas walked onto the platform.
The room quieted.
He held the original journal.
“This foundation was built on lies.”
Gasps.
Some guests stood.
Nicholas continued.
“For decades, people were silenced so powerful families could remain respectable.”
The cameras moved closer.
“Tonight, I am releasing everything.”
The screens behind him changed.
Documents appeared.
Bank transfers.
Photographs.
Recordings.
Names.
The room erupted.
Then the doors opened.
Margaret entered.
Everyone turned.
She walked slowly toward the stage.
Nicholas stared.
She smiled.
“You were always stubborn.”
Nicholas stepped toward her.
“You destroyed my family.”
“No.”
She looked at the audience.
“I built it.”
The room fell silent.
Margaret continued.
“Your father was weak.”
“Thomas was greedy.”
“Richard was ambitious.”
“Your mother was emotional.”
She looked directly at Nicholas.
“But you…”
She smiled.
“You were perfect.”
Nicholas felt cold.
“What do you want?”
Margaret stepped closer.
“The same thing your grandmother wanted.”
“What?”
“To make America safer.”
Nicholas laughed.
“You destroyed people.”
“Sometimes safety requires sacrifice.”
The audience murmured.
Margaret looked toward the cameras.
“Ask yourself something.”
She raised her voice.
“How many powerful people would survive if every secret became public?”
Silence.
May you like
Then Nicholas held up the journal.
“Let's find out.”
