But they needed adults who would stop treating their affection like something to win.

PART 14 — WHAT TRISTAN FINALLY ADMITTED

The audit took almost three months.

When it ended, there was no secret offshore empire.

No hidden criminal fortune.

Reality was less dramatic.

And somehow sadder.

Tristan had gradually accumulated power through paperwork nobody challenged.

He had allowed lenders, investors, journalists, and eventually himself to describe him as sole founder and controlling owner.

Victor had drafted the voting resolution after Tristan told him I had agreed.