Chapter 7 - Graham Told Me Why He Did ItGraham surrendered two days later.
He met Rowan in a lawyer's office.
No weapons.
No threats.
Just two men sitting across from one another, connected by a father neither of them had truly known.
Graham looked older than Rowan expected.
Tired.
Not dangerous.
“You look like him,” Graham said.
“So do you.”
Graham laughed bitterly.
“I spent forty years wishing I did.”
Rowan remained silent.
“You think I wanted to hurt your children?”
“I don't know what you wanted.”
Graham lowered his eyes.
“I wanted your father to admit I existed.”
“He's dead.”
“I know.”
“And my children nearly died.”
Graham closed his eyes.
“I didn't know.”
“You paid Delaney.”
“Yes.”
“You threatened my company.”
“Yes.”
“You had people watching my family.”
“Yes.”
Rowan's voice hardened.
“Then explain.”
Graham looked up.
“Victor Hale told me your father had stolen millions from my mother.”
Rowan listened.
“He convinced me your father had left you everything.”
“He left me a mess.”
Graham smiled sadly.
“Exactly.”
He explained everything.
Victor had manipulated Graham for years.
He had convinced him that Rowan knew about him.
That Rowan had deliberately kept him hidden.
That the only way to obtain justice was to pressure Rowan.
Delaney became an easy target.
She was frightened.
Desperate.
And willing to cooperate.
But Graham hadn't ordered the children abandoned.
Victor had.
He had secretly instructed Delaney to leave them alone so Rowan would discover them.
The goal was to create a custody scandal.
Then force Rowan to surrender control of Mercer Logistics in exchange for silence.
Rowan stared at him.
“They nearly killed my daughter.”
Graham's face collapsed.
“I know.”
“And you helped create the situation.”
“I know.”
“You don't get forgiveness because you were manipulated.”
“I don't expect it.”
For a long moment, neither man spoke.
Then Graham said:
“Your father was wrong about me.”
Rowan looked at him.
“He thought money could replace family.”
Graham swallowed.
“I don't want his money anymore.”
Rowan frowned.
“What do you want?”
Graham answered quietly.
“A chance to stop being the man he made me.”
Rowan stared at him.
Then he stood.
“I can't promise we're brothers.”
Graham nodded.
“But I can promise one thing.”
“What?”
“If you testify against Victor, I'll make sure you get protection.”
Graham's eyes filled with tears.
May you like
“Why?”
“Because my children deserve a future without this.”
