Chapter 13 - THE NIGHT DOMINIC CHOSE HIS WIFE
Victor Sloane was arrested after investigators connected him to a network of fraudulent shipping transactions and financial crimes.
Derek's company collapsed under the weight of its debts and suspended contracts.
Kendra left him shortly afterward.
But I didn't celebrate.
I had spent too many years measuring my worth against their opinions.
I didn't want to spend another moment doing it.
At a Black Harbor board meeting, Dominic announced major changes.
Independent compliance oversight.
New financial controls.
Transparent contracting.
And a complete separation from the illegal operations that had shadowed the consortium for decades.
Several board members objected.
One man stood.
“Your father would never have allowed this.”
Dominic looked at him.
“My father built an empire that survived by frightening people.”
He paused.
“I intend to build one that survives because people can trust it.”
Silence.
Then he looked toward me.
I sat at the end of the table.
Not as his wife.
As the independent forensic underwriter whose work had uncovered the fraud.
Dominic smiled.
May you like
“And the woman who helped us find the truth deserves our thanks.”
For the first time in my career, the room applauded my work without asking whose wife I was.
