The politicians launched an investigation.
Not because they believed the lies.
Because they were afraid.
And Damien welcomed them.
Because he had nothing to hide.
---
The letter arrived on a Monday.
Government letterhead. Official seal. Legal jargon.
Sterling read it aloud in the conference room.
"The Committee on Business Practices hereby announces an investigation into Moreau Industries, specifically regarding the employment practices of its affiliated law firm, Sterling, Park & Moreau.
Allegations include coercion, financial manipulation, and the creation of a hostile work environment.
All documents, emails, and communications related to these allegations must be produced within thirty days.
Failure to comply will result in legal action."
---
The room was silent.
Jax was in the corner.
"So the government is investigating us?"
"That's what it says."
"For what?"
"For being too generous."
Jax laughed.
"That's a first."
Sterling didn't laugh.
"This is serious. If they find something-"
"They won't find something."
"Because there's nothing to find?"
"Because we've done nothing wrong."
---
Christabel walked into the room.
She had been listening from the hallway.
"Let them come."
Sterling looked at her.
"Excuse me?"
"Let them come. Let them investigate. Let them dig. Let them find nothing."
"You're not worried?"
"I'm not worried."
"Why not?"
"Because the truth is on our side."
---
Damien stood.
"The truth doesn't matter."
Christabel looked at him.
"What?"
"The truth doesn't matter. What matters is what they can prove. And they can't prove anything because we've done nothing wrong."
"That's what I said."
"That's not what you said."
"Same thing."
"Different intention."
---
The investigation lasted three weeks.
Lawyers. Accountants. Investigators.
They went through every document. Every email. Every communication.
They interviewed every employee.
Maya. David. Sarah. James. The janitor.
They asked about the building. The apartments. The security.
They asked about the student loans. The salaries. The benefits.
They asked about Damien. About Christabel. About the family.
---
Maya was first.
"Did Damien Moreau ever threaten you?"
"No."
"Did he ever coerce you?"
"No."
"Did he ever ask you to do anything illegal?"
"No."
"Then why did you sign the contract?"
She looked at the investigator.
"Because he gave me a chance when no one else would."
---
David was second.
"Did Damien Moreau ever promise you something he didn't deliver?"
"No."
"Did he ever ask you to lie for him?"
"No."
"Did he ever ask you to break the law?"
"No."
"Then why are you here?"
David smiled.
"Because I want to be."
---
Sarah was third.
"Did Damien Moreau ever make you feel unsafe?"
"No."
"Did he ever make you feel like you couldn't leave?"
"No."
"Then why do you stay?"
She was quiet for a moment.
"Because he made me feel like I belonged."
---
James was fourth.
"Did Damien Moreau ever ask you to sacrifice your values?"
"No."
"Did he ever ask you to compromise your ethics?"
"No."
"Then what's the problem?"
James looked at the investigator.
"There is no problem."
"Then why are we here?"
"Because you're looking for something that doesn't exist."
---
The janitor was last.
His name was Miguel. Fifty-eight years old. Had been cleaning offices for thirty years.
He had never been interviewed by the government before.
He was nervous.
"Did Damien Moreau ever threaten you?"
"No, sir."
"Did he ever coerce you?"
"No, sir."
"Did he ever ask you to do anything illegal?"
"No, sir."
"Then why are you here?"
Miguel was quiet for a moment.
"Because I want to be."
---
The investigator leaned forward.
"You want to be investigated?"
"No, sir. I want to be here. In this building. With these people."
"Why?"
Miguel looked at him.
"Because for the first time in my life, I'm not invisible."
---
The investigator was silent.
He had interviewed hundreds of people.
He had never heard an answer like that.
"Thank you, Mr. Miguel."
"Thank you, sir."
---
The investigation ended on a Friday.
The lead investigator called Sterling.
"We're closing the case."
"No charges?"
"No charges."
"Then why did you investigate?"
The investigator was quiet for a moment.
"Because we were told to."
"By whom?"
"People who were afraid."
"Of what?"
"Of you."
---
Sterling hung up.
Walked to the conference room.
Damien was waiting.
"It's over."
"No charges?"
"No charges."
"Then why did they investigate?"
Sterling sat down.
"Because they were afraid."
"Of what?"
"Of what you're building."
---
Damien was quiet for a moment.
"Good."
"Good?"
"Fear means they're paying attention."
---
That night, Christabel put Lena to bed.
Not Damien. Her.
Lena was full of questions.
"Mama, why is Papa happy?"
"Because the investigation is over."
"What investigation?"
"People who were trying to hurt him."
"Did they hurt him?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"Because he's stronger than them."
---
Damien appeared in the doorway.
"She's asleep?"
"She's dreaming."
"Of what?"
"Of you."
He walked to her.
Took her hand.
"The investigation is over."
"I know."
"We won."
"I know."
"Why aren't you happy?"
She looked at him.
"I am happy."
"You don't look happy."
"I'm tired."
First Line of Chapter 165 (Teaser):
"The one hundred nineteenth week, Damien signed a class action lawsuit. Not against the government. Against the student loan industry. And the lawyers he had saved were ready to take action