Chapter 7 - THE ALLY WHO BOUGHT THE HOUSE IN SECRET.
David Cole had funded Riley’s research and promised to protect worker families.
Hours before the wedding, his company purchased Sterling Manor at a discount. Employee claims would remain with the old corporation while the valuable estate transferred cleanly.
David expected Blair’s scandal to make his purchase look like rescue.
“You used our evidence to buy the house before workers could claim it,” Riley said.
He argued they lacked money and management experience.
His language was softer than Blair’s. The conclusion was identical: poor people could expose theft but should not control recovery.
Riley released every email. The nonprofit board removed David and surrendered the contract to court supervision.
Workers debated selling the manor. Older beneficiaries needed money; younger descendants wanted shared ownership and an archive.
Riley refused to choose for them.
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Before the final vote, Elena revealed a hidden clause: an unauthorized sale transferred temporary title to the lowest-paid current employee.
That employee was nineteen-year-old dishwasher Jasmine Lee.
