Chapter 10 - THE FALL
The fallout from the Ritz-Carlton meeting was absolute.
Vanguard Holdings faced crippling federal fines and completely withdrew their takeover bid, their reputation in tatters. Richard Hayes struck a plea deal and turned state's evidence against Gregory, ensuring the former CEO would face at least a decade in federal prison.
The media narrative flipped instantaneously. I was no longer the vindictive heir; I was the brilliant, unyielding titan of industry who had masterfully rooted out corruption. The company's stock soared to an all-time high.
As for Diane, reality hit her with the force of a freight train.
With Gregory's assets seized by the government to pay back the embezzled funds, she was left penniless. The sprawling estate was foreclosed upon. Her "friends" in the high-society circles stopped returning her calls, erasing her from their guest lists with the same cold indifference she had once shown to others.
The final time I saw her was three weeks later. I was leaving a corporate luncheon downtown. It was pouring rain, and I was waiting under the awning of a luxury hotel for my driver to pull the car around.
Through the rain, I saw a woman struggling with a broken umbrella, wearing a faded trench coat. She looked exhausted, her hair frizzy, her posture defeated. It was Diane. She was carrying a box of personal belongings, likely moving out of a temporary apartment.
She looked up and saw me standing there, flanked by security, impeccably dressed, completely untouchable.
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For a moment, our eyes met. There was no arrogance left in her gaze, only a hollow, humiliating realization of where she stood in the world. I didn't smile. I didn't gloat. I simply looked through her, as if she were entirely unimportant.
My car pulled up. The driver opened the door, and I stepped inside, leaving her standing in the rain.
