Chapter 11 - THE FALL OF THE SHAW EMPIRE
Pierce Rowan was arrested.
Investigators charged him with financial crimes, conspiracy, witness intimidation, and offenses connected to Daniel Mercer's disappearance.
Several associates were also arrested.
The Shaw Foundation underwent a complete forensic audit.
Laurel's forged signatures were identified.
Her role as the person who reported the irregularities became public.
Beckett cooperated with investigators.
The process exposed years of corruption inside his organization.
His businesses lost contracts.
Several executives resigned.
His reputation collapsed.
For the first time, Beckett could not control the narrative.
And he began to understand how much damage his power had allowed.
One afternoon, he sat across from his attorney.
“I want to speak to Laurel.”
His attorney shook his head.
“She doesn't want contact.”
Beckett looked down.
“Then don't contact her.”
The attorney studied him.
“You're accepting that?”
Beckett nodded.
“I owe her that much.”
He reached into his pocket.
The wedding ring was still there.
He placed it on the desk.
For sixteen years, he had believed marriage meant Laurel belonged beside him.
May you like
Now he understood that she had always been free to leave.
He simply hadn't wanted to see it.
