Chapter 4: The Empire Falls
Forty-eight hours later, every major business network carried the same headline.
NEXUSCORE CEO UNDER CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION.
Matthew stood outside federal court surrounded by cameras.
"No comment."
"No comment."
"No comment."
Former employees began speaking publicly.
Several executives admitted Matthew had bullied staff for years.
Lauren quietly resigned before investigators questioned her.
Within days, shareholders filed lawsuits.
Banks demanded immediate repayment.
The company's stock lost nearly ninety percent of its value.
Matthew finally realized something horrifying.
His company had never belonged entirely to him.
The relationships.
The financing.
The credibility.
The invisible safety net.
Most of it had quietly come from the Sterling family.
May you like
He had mistaken silence for weakness.
Now silence had disappeared.
