Chapter 2: Every Empire Has a Price
Chapter 2: Every Empire Has a Price
Within thirty minutes the academy had transformed into something entirely different.
Police arrived.
Emergency physicians rushed Maren to a waiting ambulance under Damien's personal escort.
Meanwhile, the ballroom remained locked.
No guest was allowed to leave.
The academy's board members hurried in after receiving urgent phone calls.
Several recognized Damien immediately.
Their faces lost all color.
One elderly trustee whispered,
"Dear God..."
"He survived Chicago."
Another murmured,
"If he's here..."
"Then every family that protected those girls is finished."
Damien remained standing at the center of the ballroom.
His men quietly placed folders on every table.
Each folder contained financial records.
Hidden offshore accounts.
Illegal admissions donations.
Tax fraud.
Bribery.
Academic corruption.
Everything.
He looked toward Chloe's father.
Richard Ashford.
One of Boston's most respected investment managers.
"You donated twenty-three million dollars to this academy."
Richard forced a smile.
"I believe we can discuss compensation."
Damien shook his head.
"No."
"This isn't about money."
Another folder slid across the table.
Federal investigators entered moments later.
Richard opened the file.
His face drained completely.
It contained evidence of nearly fifteen years of financial crimes.
How?
When?
Impossible.
Damien answered before anyone asked.
"I've been investigating every family connected to the Chicago attack."
"You simply didn't realize your names were already on my list."
Around the room, parents began opening their own files.
Insider trading.
Money laundering.
Bribery.
Corporate espionage.
Political corruption.
Every powerful family carried secrets.
Damien possessed them all.
One by one...
The wealthy elite who had ruled Briarwell Academy for decades realized something horrifying.
The janitor they had mocked...
Was carrying the heir to one of the most powerful criminal empires in America.
And the man they had underestimated...
Already owned every move they could make.
Outside, flashing lights multiplied.
Federal agents.
State investigators.
Financial crime units.
May you like
No one escaped.
Not that night.
