Chapter 10
I met the nine people who toasted Arthur’s fall.
Not all were equally guilty.
Important.
Three believed the night included a ceremonial transfer but knew nothing about undermining me.
Two knew Declan planned an elder group.
Three expected jobs.
Anthony Rourke knew almost everything.
I separated them accordingly.
No dramatic purge.
No blood.
No collective punishment because glasses went up at the same time.
Gianni apologized to Arthur personally.
Arthur told him:
“You laughed before checking whether I was hurt.”
Gianni looked ashamed.
That was the issue.
Not politics.
Human instinct.
Samuel admitted he wanted his old security position back.
I asked:
“Why did you lose it?”
He stared at the table.
“Because my men threatened a debtor’s wife.”
“And you think the chair changing owners fixes that?”
No answer.
Good.
Anthony Rourke was different.
He remained proud.
“Sebastian built half of DeLuca.”
“Maybe.”
That surprised him.
I continued.
“Then he destroyed his right to remain inside it.”
Anthony hated the nuance.
He wanted Arthur thief or Sebastian hero.
Complexity ruins inherited grievances.
I showed him old accounts Arthur kept.
Proof Sebastian contributed significant early money and contacts.
Also proof he later diverted collections and pressured families.
Both.
Anthony stared.
“You kept this?”
“Arthur did.”
“Why never say?”
I looked at my father.
He answered himself.
“Pride.”
Anthony laughed bitterly.
“So our family grew up on a lie because you wanted to look self-made.”
“Yes.”
Silence.
Arthur’s honesty removed some of Anthony’s weapon.
Not all.
The Rourkes had legitimate historical grievance about being erased.
They did not have legitimate claim to present control.
I told Anthony exactly that.
He did not thank me.
Good.
Truth is not customer service.
Then he asked:
“What happens to our branch?”
“Nothing automatic.”
I leaned forward.
“Anyone who works honestly remains welcome.”
“And influence?”
“Earn it.”
He smiled without humor.
“Sebastian would hate you.”
“Arthur often does too.”
May you like
My father laughed from the corner.
Family healing, apparently.
