Damian’s Choice
Chapter 13 - Damian’s Choice
Damian faced two choices.
Defend Beatrice and preserve the public story of the Vale dynasty.
Or cooperate and admit that the empire supporting him was built through fraud against the family of the wife he had harmed.
He cooperated.
He surrendered passwords, private messages, and access to Victor’s old office.
Investigators found a hidden ledger showing Damian’s executive bonuses were partly funded through Lydia’s beneficiary account.
Damian had not known.
He returned the money voluntarily.
Cooperation reduced his criminal exposure but did not erase the plate incident or coercion.
He stepped down from the board.
When reporters asked whether Clara’s secret wealth had destroyed their marriage, he answered:
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“My wife’s wealth did not cause me to intimidate her. My belief that she had less power made me think I could.”
It was the first accurate public statement he made.
