Chapter 10 - THE MAN WHO HAD TO CHOOSE
Arthur Mercer was arrested three days later.
Investigators had gathered enough evidence from Grant's cooperation, financial records, and communications to support multiple charges.
Arthur denied everything.
He accused Roman of betrayal.
He claimed the investigation was a family dispute.
But the evidence continued to grow.
Roman faced a different problem.
His own companies were under scrutiny.
Some had been used in the fraud.
Others had benefited from questionable contracts.
He could fight every inquiry.
Protect his reputation.
Preserve the empire.
Or cooperate fully and risk losing much of what he'd built.
He met with Naomi.
Tessa was present because her father's records were central to the investigation.
Naomi looked at Roman.
“You understand what full cooperation could mean?”
“Yes.”
“Financial penalties. Loss of contracts. Potential exposure of your own conduct.”
Roman nodded.
“I understand.”
Tessa studied him.
“Are you sure?”
He looked at her.
“No.”
She frowned.
Roman smiled sadly.
“I'm not sure of anything anymore.”
Then he looked toward the photograph of his sister on his desk.
“But I know what happens when people keep protecting lies.”
He signed the cooperation agreement.
Over the following months, Mercer Urban underwent restructuring.
Independent auditors reviewed its accounts.
Several executives resigned.
Roman divested businesses tied to unlawful activities and stepped away from operational control while investigators examined the records.
He lost money.
Influence.
And people who had once called themselves loyal.
One evening, Tessa found him sitting alone in his office.
The room was almost empty.
Boxes lined the walls.
He looked exhausted.
“Bad day?” she asked.
Roman smiled faintly.
“Expensive day.”
She sat across from him.
“Regrets?”
He considered.
“Plenty.”
“About cooperating?”
“No.”
He looked at her.
“About how long it took me.”
Tessa studied him.
Then said:
“My father used to tell me that being brave doesn't mean you aren't scared.”
Roman looked up.
“What does it mean?”
She smiled sadly.
“It means doing the right thing while you're scared.”
Roman nodded.
“I think I'd have liked him.”
Tessa's eyes filled.
“He would have made you very uncomfortable.”
May you like
Roman laughed.
For the first time in weeks, it sounded genuine.
