Chapter 18 - HER FATHER'S OLD MISTAKE
Evelyn drove to her father's home that afternoon.
Thomas Sterling was sitting in his study.
She placed Gregory's photograph on the desk.
Her father's expression changed immediately.
“You know him.”
Thomas sighed.
“Yes.”
“How?”
“Gregory worked for me before he joined Vance.”
Evelyn sat down.
“What did he do?”
Thomas stared at the photograph.
“He helped me survive the worst financial crisis Sterling Development ever faced.”
“That doesn't sound like a reason to hide him.”
“It isn't.”
Thomas paused.
“The problem came later.”
He explained that fifteen years earlier, Sterling Development had nearly lost several major properties.
Gregory had proposed a restructuring strategy.
It saved the company.
But Thomas later discovered that Gregory had created private investment vehicles that benefited from Sterling's distress.
Thomas had forced him out.
But he had never exposed him publicly.
“Why?”
Thomas lowered his eyes.
“Because I was afraid.”
Evelyn felt something inside her tighten.
“You let him walk away.”
“I thought I could contain the damage.”
She stood.
“That is exactly how people like him survive.”
Thomas looked at his daughter.
“I know.”
Evelyn softened.
She could hear the regret in his voice.
“You should have told me.”
“I wanted to protect you.”
She shook her head.
“Dad, protection without truth is still control.”
The sentence hurt him.
But he nodded.
“I know that now.”
Before Evelyn left, Thomas stopped her.
“There was one thing Gregory wanted more than money.”
“What?”
“Control of the corridor between our ports.”
Evelyn looked back.
May you like
“Then that's what he's after now.”
---
