"You stayed because you believed people could change."

He gently squeezed her shoulder.

"That wasn't weakness."

"It was hope."

She looked through the window toward the skyline.

"I don't want revenge."

"What do you want?"

"A company people are proud to work for."

Chapter 4 — The Price of Arrogance

Marcus spent the next several days calling investors.

Banks.

Friends.

Politicians.

Nobody answered.

News spread quickly through the business world.

The charismatic hotel visionary had never been the owner.

He had merely been the public face chosen by the real controlling family.

Then came the lawsuits.

Unauthorized use of corporate funds.

Executive misconduct.

Violation of company ethics.

Improper relationships with subordinate employees.

Vanessa disappeared before the week ended.

The sapphire brooch was anonymously delivered back to Ashcroft headquarters.

Without a note.

Without an apology.

Marcus sat alone inside his penthouse.

Luxury surrounded him.

Silence consumed him.

For the first time in years, he opened the photo album Isabella had assembled during their marriage.