Chapter 11 - Nathan Lost the Empire
Nathan faced his own consequences.
Assault.
Fraud.
Forgery conspiracy.
Financial crimes.
His cooperation reduced his exposure.
It didn't erase it.
Our divorce proceeded.
The forged share transfer was voided.
My forty-nine percent interest remained mine.
Nathan's fifty-one percent became vulnerable because much of the business had been financed through fraudulent transactions and collateral arrangements connected to Daniel.
Creditors arrived.
Investigators arrived.
Partners fled.
Nathan Vale Jewelers collapsed.
Not completely.
The underlying stores had value.
I had a choice.
Destroy everything.
Or buy the healthy assets.
I chose the second.
Through an independent company, I acquired three profitable locations.
Then removed Nathan's name.
The new company became:
ASTER HOUSE.
Why Aster?
My birth flower.
Something chosen for me before Nathan.
Before Celeste.
Before Daniel returned.
The first campaign contained no diamonds.
Just one sentence:
May you like
WHAT YOU WEAR SHOULD BELONG TO YOU.
It became our most successful launch.
