Chapter 12 - THE PRICE OF HIS EMPIRE
Adrian Bell was arrested.
The investigation uncovered evidence connecting him and his brother Victor to the financial fraud, elevator sabotage, Norah's abduction, and the warehouse explosion.
Arthur cooperated.
But the investigation also exposed wrongdoing within his own organization.
For years, he'd allowed illegal business practices to continue.
He could no longer pretend he was innocent simply because someone else had betrayed him.
Norah confronted him.
“You knew some of what was happening.”
Arthur nodded.
“Yes.”
“And you ignored it.”
“Yes.”
She looked at him.
“Why?”
His voice was quiet.
“Because it made me powerful.”
Norah's eyes filled.
“And now?”
Arthur swallowed.
“Now I have to live with what that cost.”
He began dismantling the criminal parts of his organization.
He turned over records.
Accepted legal consequences.
And placed the legitimate businesses under independent oversight.
It cost him money.
Influence.
May you like
And the reputation he'd spent his life building.
But for the first time, Arthur Cornero stopped confusing power with worth.
