Why had Victor done it?
The answer came from a recording.
Daniel had secretly recorded Victor weeks earlier.
In the recording, Victor explained everything.
Richard Harrison had promised Victor a controlling share of Harrison Global.
In return, Victor helped destroy Jonathan Cole.
But Richard died before completing the transfer.
Victor spent years waiting.
When Ethan became CEO and began reopening old files, Victor panicked.
He activated Project Nightfall.
He planned to steal the company assets before Ethan discovered the truth.
But there was one problem.
Jonathan Cole.
He was alive.
And he still possessed the original patent documents.
Ethan stared at Daniel.
“Where is he?”
Daniel answered:
“Safe.”
“Bring him here.”
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because this isn't about your company anymore.”
Daniel looked toward the city.
“It's about giving him back his life.”
THE MAN WHO LOST EVERYTHING
Jonathan Cole returned two days later.
Ethan met him privately.
The man was seventy.
He walked with a cane.
His face was thin.
But his eyes were powerful.
Ethan stood.
“Mr. Cole.”
Jonathan looked at him.
“Don't call me that.”
Ethan was confused.
“Why?”
“Because your father called me that when he wanted to remind me that I was beneath him.”
Ethan lowered his head.
“I'm sorry.”
Jonathan looked at him for several seconds.
“You look like him.”
“I've been told.”
“But you don't act like him.”
Ethan sat down.
“I want to make things right.”
Jonathan smiled sadly.
“Some things cannot be made right.”
“I know.”
“You cannot give me twenty-two years.”
“No.”
“You cannot give my wife back.”
“No.”
“You cannot give my daughter the childhood she lost.”
Ethan swallowed.
“No.”
Jonathan leaned on his cane.
“Then don't promise me justice.”
“What should I promise?”
“Don't let it happen again.”
Ethan nodded.
“I promise.”
Jonathan reached into his coat.
He removed a folder.
“These are the original patents.”
Ethan looked at them.
“Why give them to me?”
“I'm not.”
Jonathan smiled.
“They belong to the company.”
Ethan shook his head.
“No. They belong to you.”
Jonathan looked surprised.
Ethan continued.
“My father stole them.”
“That doesn't mean I want Harrison Global destroyed.”
Ethan smiled faintly.
“I don't either.”
“What will you do?”
“Transfer ownership of the original technology to a foundation.”
Jonathan stared at him.
“For engineers.”
“For workers.”
“For the people who built the company.”
Jonathan looked toward the window.
“You sound like your uncle.”
Ethan frowned.
“Daniel?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because Daniel always believed a company should belong to the people who make it work.”
Ethan smiled.
“He told me that.”
Jonathan nodded.
“He would.”
Three months later, Ethan announced the largest restructuring in Harrison Global history.
The company would remain operational.
But the stolen patents would be transferred.
Workers would receive profit-sharing.
A permanent fund would support employees injured on Harrison Global projects.