Chapter 10 - OWEN FINALLY TOLD THE TRUTHOwen requested a private meeting.
I almost declined.
Then agreed with lawyers present.
He looked terrible.
“I started with one bad project.”
Of course.
Everyone starts with one.
A luxury residential development.
Construction costs rose.
Interest rates changed.
Presales slowed.
He borrowed to finish.
Then borrowed against another project to cover the first.
Then another.
Classic cascading leverage.
By the time he approached the family trust, he was desperate.
The river land looked like rescue.
Buy below market.
Obtain zoning.
Refinance.
Repay everyone.
Nobody loses.
Except the trust would have lost tens of millions in value.
Owen said:
“I told myself I’d make it back.”
I answered:
“Most people who misuse other people’s assets do.”
He nodded.
Then:
“I didn’t know Mom would assault you.”
“I believe you.”
His eyes lifted.
“But?”
“You knew the accusation was false.”
“Yes.”
“You planned to benefit from it.”
“Yes.”
“That’s enough.”
He looked down.
May you like
Good.
Understanding degrees of wrongdoing should not become an excuse to erase participation.
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