Chapter 8 - ADRIAN'S DEFENSE
Adrian hired Lauren Pierce.
Brilliant.
Controlled.
Dangerous because she never overstated.
Her argument:
The affair was immoral but not illegal.
Claire’s information was often high-level and non-exclusive.
The cash transfers were documented as advisory compensation.
The equity was subject to vesting and board approval.
The Northshore participation rights never vested.
Rebecca’s approval token could have been used by administrative staff under standing authority.
No evidence yet showed Adrian personally forged it.
Strong.
Then motive.
Why pay Claire so much?
Adrian said:
“She had strategic value.”
Rebecca smiled coldly.
“Not love?”
Adrian did not answer.
Claire heard about that later.
It broke something.
May you like
Not because she loved Adrian completely.
Because she believed he had chosen her.
