Chapter 192: Chapter 193: Richard’s Rejection
HAROLD’S POV - DAY 5 AFTER THE BREACH
Harold sat in his penthouse study, staring at his phone like it was a live grenade. The number for Richard Blackwood’s private line was already pulled up on the screen. All he had to do was press call.
But making this call meant admitting defeat. Meant begging for help from a man he’d always considered an equal, a peer in the world of New York’s business elite.
His company’s stock had dropped another twelve percent overnight. The board had voted unanimously to remove him as CEO pending the outcome of federal investigations. His own board. People he’d handpicked, people who’d made fortunes because of his leadership.
They’d abandoned him without a second thought.
The Wall Street Journal had published a scathing editorial calling for maximum criminal penalties. Three of his country clubs had revoked his membership.
Everyone was running. Everyone was cutting ties. Everyone except Victoria, who was too blinded by her own grudges to see that associating with him now was career suicide.
But Richard Blackwood was different. Richard had power that transcended scandals and federal investigations. Richard had connections that went back generations, influence that operated at levels most people couldn’t even conceive of.
If anyone could help Harold salvage something from this disaster, it was Richard.
Harold took a deep breath and pressed call.
The phone rang three times before a crisp, professional voice answered. "Blackwood residence. How may I direct your call?"
"This is Harold Ashford. I need to speak with Mr. Richard Blackwood. It’s urgent."
There was a pause. "Please hold, Mr. Ashford."
Classical music played while Harold waited. Mozart, he thought. Appropriate....civilized elegance while his world burned.
After nearly two minutes, the music cut off and Richard’s voice came on the line. Cold. Formal. Nothing like the warm collegiality they’d shared at business dinners and charity galas over the years.
"Harold. I wondered if I’d be hearing from you."
"Richard, thank you for taking my call. I know you must be busy...."
"Busy watching your empire collapse on every news channel, yes. Quite the spectacle you’ve created."
Harold forced himself to stay calm. "Richard, I need your help."
"Do you." It wasn’t a question.
"The federal charges.....they’re based on incomplete information, taken out of context. With the right legal team, the right connections in Washington, I could fight this. Could expose it for the witch hunt it really is."
"Could you." Still not a question. Richard’s voice was utterly flat, completely devoid of sympathy or interest.
"I made mistakes," Harold continued, desperation creeping into his voice despite his best efforts. "I acknowledge that. But I’ve also contributed enormously to this city’s economy, employed thousands of people, donated millions to charitable causes. Surely that should count for something. Surely someone with your influence could help me navigate this situation."
Silence on the other end. Long, heavy silence that made Harold’s stomach clench with anxiety.
"Richard? Are you still there?"
"I’m here. I’m just trying to understand what makes you think I would lift a single finger to help you, Harold."
The words were like a slap. "We’ve done business together for twenty years...."
"We’ve been in the same circles for twenty years," Richard corrected, his voice sharp now. "We’ve attended the same functions, sat on some of the same boards, exchanged pleasantries at charity galas. But don’t mistake proximity for friendship, Harold. And certainly don’t mistake it for loyalty."
"I’m not asking for friendship. I’m asking for professional courtesy...."
"Professional courtesy?" Richard’s laugh was bitter and cold. "You want to talk about professional courtesy? Let’s discuss the professional courtesy you showed when you tried to sabotage my grandson’s girlfriend’s medical career."
Harold’s blood ran cold. "I don’t know what you’re talking about."
"Don’t insult my intelligence. I know about the bribes you paid to Robert and David Park. Know about the pressure you put on Morrison. Know about every little scheme you orchestrated to destroy Aria’s return to medicine." Richard’s voice was ice. "Did you really think I wouldn’t find out? That I don’t have people watching everything that affects my family?"
"Richard, that was business. Nothing personal...."
"Nothing personal?" Richard’s voice rose for the first time, genuine anger breaking through his controlled facade. "You tried to destroy the career of a brilliant young doctor....a woman my grandson loves....because she had the audacity to be in a relationship with Damien. You call that business?"
"She’s not appropriate for him! She’s a nobody, a former maid who infiltrated your family’s estate under false pretenses...."
"She’s the woman Damien chose." Richard’s voice was steel. "The woman who makes him happier than I’ve seen him since his parents died. The woman who has proven herself to be intelligent, capable, and genuinely devoted to him. That makes her more than appropriate, Harold. That makes her family."
Harold felt his last hope crumbling. "But the breach....the hack that destroyed my company....don’t you see that it has to be connected to her? The timing is too perfect. I try to sabotage her position, and suddenly all my secrets are exposed?"
"So you think Aria hacked your company."
"I know she did! She has the skills....I had her investigated. She’s a brilliant hacker, has been since MIT. The sophistication of the breach matches her capabilities perfectly."
"And you have proof of this?" Richard’s voice was dangerously quiet.
"Circumstantial evidence. Technical analysis. Everything points to...."
"So no actual proof. Just suspicion based on timing and capability." Richard paused. "Harold, do you know how many people had reason to hate you? How many competitors you destroyed, employees you exploited, communities you poisoned? Any one of hundreds of people could have had the motivation to expose your crimes. But you’ve fixated on Aria because she’s the most convenient target."
"It was her! I know it was...."
"Even if it was," Richard interrupted, his voice cutting through Harold’s protest, "she would have been completely justified. You tried to destroy her career out of petty vindictiveness and class prejudice. If she responded by exposing your actual crimes....and Harold, let’s be clear, everything in those files you tried to keep hidden were actual crimes you actually committed....then all she did was pursue justice through unconventional means."
"You can’t be serious...."
