Chapter 11 - Why Brandon needed Walter to stay disgraced
Money was part of Brandon’s motive.
It was not all of it.
By thirty, Brandon had spent his life being introduced as Walter Cole’s son.
Even after he became competent enough to lead major projects, members still asked:
“What does your father think?”
Walter rarely intended to diminish him.
Brandon felt diminished anyway.
When Anne died and Walter weakened emotionally, Brandon experienced the first period in his life where the institution looked to him first.
He loved it.
Then the questionable payments began.
At first Brandon rationalized them as temporary financial flexibility for an outside investment he believed would eventually benefit the family.
He intended to replace money.
Then losses mounted.
The cover became larger than the original misconduct.
When Walter noticed discrepancies, Brandon panicked.
Removing his father from operations solved two problems simultaneously.
It protected the financial scheme.
And it finally gave Brandon the role he believed he deserved.
Once Walter became the disgraced old executive, Brandon no longer had to be anyone’s son professionally.
He became president.
He built his identity around having rescued the club.
That was why Walter’s return threatened more than prosecution.
If the truth emerged, Brandon did not merely become a man who manipulated invoices.
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He became the son who built his reputation by destroying his father’s.
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