Chapter 11 - SLOANE'S FATHER TURNED ON HER, AND SHE CAME TO ME FOR HELP
Richard Mercer blamed Sloane for the collapse of the deal.
Not Preston.
Not himself.
Sloane.
He removed her from family entities.
Cut off access.
Then threatened to challenge property transfers previously made to her.
She came to Gabriel's office looking nothing like the woman from Saint Aurelia.
“Why are you here?”
I asked.
“My father says he'll ruin me if I cooperate with investigators.”
“Will you?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
She looked at me.
“Because I'm tired of being useful to men who call it love.”
That sentence changed something.
Not forgiveness.
Understanding.
Sloane provided records proving Richard knew about her relationship with Preston before final financing negotiations.
He didn't object.
He used it.
He encouraged her to influence Preston.
Preston used Sloane to influence Mercer.
Sloane used Preston to gain status inside her father's organization.
Everyone was using everyone.
Except Hope.
She was the only innocent person in the entire structure.
I agreed to ensure Sloane had access to independent counsel.
Nothing more.
“You're helping me?”
“I’m helping you get a lawyer.”
“Why?”
“Because needing help shouldn't require being likable.”
She stared at me.
Then whispered:
“I’m sorry.”
“For what?”
“All of it.”
I believed she meant it.
I still didn't forgive everything.
But forgiveness wasn't required for me to stop wanting her destroyed.
That surprised me.
Power had once seemed like the ability to punish.
May you like
My grandmother had taught me differently.
Real power was having the ability to destroy someone and choosing only what justice required.
