Chapter 8 - THE UNCLE WHO BUILT THE EMPIRE
Arthur Mercer had raised Roman after his parents died.
He had taught him how to negotiate.
How to survive.
How to recognize betrayal.
And how to make enemies fear the consequences of crossing the Mercer family.
Roman had trusted him more than anyone.
Now Grant was telling him Arthur had been stealing from the foundation for years.
Roman stood beside the window.
“Prove it.”
Grant swallowed.
“I can.”
He opened his phone.
Then stopped.
A message had appeared.
His face changed.
“What?” Roman demanded.
Grant looked up.
“My wife.”
Roman stepped closer.
“What about her?”
Grant showed him the screen.
A photograph of Grant's wife entering a grocery store.
Beneath it:
KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT.
Roman immediately contacted Naomi and the police.
Grant's wife was located and brought somewhere safe.
Grant agreed to provide a statement and records.
The evidence revealed a sprawling network of financial crimes.
Arthur had used Mercer Urban's legitimate businesses to conceal fraudulent transactions.
He diverted charitable funds.
Manipulated property sales.
And arranged the dismissal of employees who discovered irregularities.
Thomas Vaughn had been one of them.
But the most disturbing revelation came from a recorded conversation.
Arthur's voice.
Calm.
Impatient.
“Vaughn knows too much. Make sure he loses his job. Then he'll have bigger problems than our books.”
Tessa listened with tears in her eyes.
Her father had been destroyed because he refused to stay silent.
Roman stood beside her.
He didn't touch her.
Didn't offer excuses.
He simply said:
“I'm sorry.”
Tessa looked at him.
“You didn't know.”
“I should have.”
She swallowed.
“Then make sure he can't do it to anyone else.”
Roman nodded.
“I will.”
That night, Arthur called Roman.
“Come to the house.”
Roman's expression hardened.
“Why?”
“Because we need to discuss your loyalty.”
Roman looked toward Tessa.
Then said:
“My loyalty isn't for sale.”
Arthur laughed softly.
“Everything is for sale, boy.”
May you like
Roman's voice turned cold.
“Not anymore.”
