Chapter 8 - THE BOARDROOM WHERE ADRIAN BEGGED
Before the criminal trial, Adrian requested to address Valeon’s board.
His attorneys hoped cooperation would reduce his sentence.
He entered in a dark suit, escorted by federal officers.
The gold CEO banner had been removed.
No portrait carried his name.
He stood at the end of the same table where he expected to rule.
“I can help recover Crown Meridian assets,” he said.
Lena Cho asked:
“In exchange for what?”
“Protection of my vested shares.”
The board members looked at one another.
Even facing murder and fraud charges, Adrian negotiated first for money.
His attorney whispered to him.
Adrian corrected himself.
“And consideration in sentencing.”
I sat across from him.
“Where are the remaining accounts?”
“Luxembourg, Singapore, and Delaware.”
“Who controls them?”
“Trustees appointed by Jonathan.”
“Names?”
“I need guarantees.”
I closed my folder.
“Then the meeting is over.”
Panic crossed his face.
“Claire.”
“You believed information gave you leverage over everyone.”
“It does.”
“No. It gives prosecutors evidence. Whether you cooperate determines how the court describes you.”
His shoulders dropped.
For the first time, Adrian was not the strongest person in the room.
Not because I controlled him.
Because no one needed what he offered enough to accept his terms.
He provided the names.
The accounts contained more than four hundred million dollars.
Much was recovered.
Employee programs and shareholder funds were restored.
Patrick Lin’s family received compensation through a court-supervised settlement, though no money could replace him.
Adrian asked to speak with me privately.
I refused.
He addressed me in front of counsel.
“Did you ever love me?”
“Yes.”
“Do you still?”
“No.”
The answer wounded him.
Truth often sounded cruel to people accustomed to ambiguity serving them.
“When did it end?”
“When you kissed her?”
“No.”
I remembered lying on the marble while laughter rose.
“It ended when you looked down at me and enjoyed the room choosing your power over my dignity.”
He lowered his eyes.
May you like
For once, there was nothing left to negotiate.
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