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CHAPTER 172
The idea came to Michael during a late-night feeding with Chen. Sarah found him in the nursery, rocking their son back to sleep."What are you thinking about?" she asked, settling into the chair beside him."The orphanage. My childhood. How different things could have been if I'd had a sibling." Michael looked down at Chen. "I want him to have what I didn't. A brother or sister. Family.""We could try for another baby—""Or we could adopt." Michael met her eyes. "Give a child the chance someone gave me. The same orphanage I grew up in has dozens of kids waiting for families."Sarah was quiet for a long moment. "You're serious.""Completely. I have everything now—wealth, family, security. It feels wrong not to share it." He paused. "What do you think?"Sarah smiled, tears in her eyes. "I think you're going to be an amazing father to two children."They visited the orphanage three weeks later. Director Chen—no relation to baby Chen—greeted them warmly."Mr. Thompson, it's an honor. Your
CHAPTER 171
Richard Thompson passed on a Tuesday morning, three months to the day after his diagnosis. Michael and Alexander sat on either side of his bed, each holding one of their father's hands as his breathing finally stilled."He's gone," Alexander whispered.Michael couldn't speak. He just sat there, holding his father's cooling hand, trying to memorize the peace on Richard's face.The hospice nurse entered quietly. "I'm so sorry for your loss. He was a good man.""Yes," Michael finally managed. "He was."The funeral was scheduled for the following Saturday. Michael assumed it would be small—Richard had been reclusive, keeping to himself for years.He was wrong.The church overflowed with people. Hundreds of faces Michael didn't recognize filled every pew, spilled into the aisles, stood in the back."Who are all these people?" Michael asked Santiago, who'd come to provide support."People your father helped, apparently. Word spread fast."As Michael walked to the front, he overheard convers
CHAPTER 170
Alexander's call came at dawn."Michael, we need to talk. In person. It's about Father."Twenty minutes later, they sat in Michael's study, coffee untouched between them."The cancer has spread," Alexander said without preamble. "Liver, lungs, now the brain. The doctors say three months. Maybe four if he's lucky."Michael felt the world tilt. "But he was fine at Chen's birthday. He was laughing, playing with—""He was hiding it. You know how he is. Too proud to show weakness." Alexander's hands trembled slightly. "He wanted to tell you himself, but I convinced him to let me. He's at home now, arranging hospice care.""Hospice." The word felt like a death sentence."He wants to spend whatever time he has left with us. With Chen." Alexander met Michael's eyes. "We only just found him, Michael. And now we're losing him.""That's not fair.""No. It's not." Alexander stood. "But fair doesn't matter. What matters is making the most of the time we have."Richard's apartment was modest despit
CHAPTER 169 PART 2
"I was wrong. The world hadn't decided anything. I just hadn't shown the world what I could become." He paused. "Some of you will leave here and struggle. You'll face people who dismiss you because of where you came from. You'll encounter obstacles that seem impossible. You'll wonder if it's worth trying."He met their eyes directly. "It is. It's absolutely worth it. But here's what they don't tell you—success without integrity is just expensive failure. You can build an empire on lies, but it'll crumble. You can step on people to climb higher, but you'll stand alone at the top."A few students leaned forward, listening intently."I built my first company at twenty-two. Made millions. And I thought that made me successful. But real success?" Michael smiled. "Real success is building something you're proud of. Something that helps others. Something that lasts because it's built on principles, not shortcuts."He pulled out a folded piece of paper—notes he'd made the night before."You'r
CHAPTER 169 PART 1
The call from Lisa Park came four months after the restructuring began."Mr. Thompson? I wanted to inform you personally before the official announcement." Her voice was professional but warm. "We're closing the investigation. No charges will be filed."Michael set down his coffee carefully. "Based on?""Based on our findings that while your business practices were aggressive, they weren't illegal. And more importantly, based on the substantial voluntary reforms you've implemented." She paused. "Off the record? You surprised me. Most people in your position would have fought tooth and nail. You actually fixed the problems.""It was the right thing to do.""Yes. It was." Lisa's tone shifted slightly. "I've recommended your restructuring model as a case study for other corporations. You've set a new standard for voluntary compliance."After the call ended, Michael sat quietly for a moment. No charges. Investigation closed. He'd done the right thing and it had worked.Santiago appeared i
CHAPTER 168
The subpoena arrived on a Tuesday morning, delivered by federal marshals. Santiago intercepted them at the door, then brought the documents directly to Michael's office."Boss, we have a problem."Michael looked up from the report he was reviewing. "What kind of problem?""Federal investigation. Monopolistic practices. They're targeting the combined holdings—yours and B1's." Santiago laid the subpoena on the desk. "Lead prosecutor is someone named Lisa Park. Former corporate lawyer turned government crusader."Michael scanned the document. Extensive. Thorough. Professionally drafted. "She's not messing around.""Want me to call our legal team? Start building defenses?""No." Michael set down the papers. "We cooperate. Fully."Santiago blinked. "Boss, that's—""The right thing to do." Michael stood, moving to the window. "Santiago, we've fought criminals, corrupt executives, people who played dirty. This is different. This is the government doing its job. If there are problems in our o
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