His Double Standards, My Final Goodbye Chapter 08

His Double Standards, My Final Goodbye Chapter 08

The arbitration and investigation both moved quickly.

The ruling confirmed that the core architectural and security-system rights belonged to me personally. Vance Holdings was ordered to reimburse my firm’s upfront investment and pay substantial damages for breach of contract.

The investors contacted me soon afterward and asked my team to complete the project

independently.

Dominic was there the day we signed the new agreement.

He was no longer the project lead. He attended only as a representative of our former partner!

We were halfway through the signing.

The investor representative stood to take a call.

Dominic and I were left alone in the conference room.

He slid a file across the table to me.

“These are all the encrypted records between the competition’s backers, the project investors, and the Vance family from three years ago.”

“Adrian already has them.”

“This copy includes my written confession and testimony.”

I turned to the last page.

He admitted that family interests had driven him to approach me and that he’d used our romantic relationship to persuade me to stop pursuing the case.

Once he submitted that statement, his family could strip him of his position, and his professional standing and business credibility would go with it.

“Why are you giving me this? This could affect the rest of your career.”

Dominic looked at me, weariness settled deep in his eyes.

“Because it’s mine to answer for.”

“My father and the board have already suspended me. They want me to pin everything on Chloe and

say I was only carrying out a family directive.”

But I’m the one who approached you.”

“I’m the one who convinced you to walk away.”

He spoke slowly.

“Astrid, I used to think the outcome mattered more than how you got there. You went on to create new work, and we ended up together, so I told myself what I did back then didn’t matter anymore.

“It wasn’t until you withdrew your authorization that I understood some things can’t be made right just because you offer compensation afterward.”

I closed the file.

“I’ll give this to my attorney.”

Dominic nodded.

The investor representative returned to the room.

“Sorry to keep you waiting, Ms. Sterling. Let’s get this signed.”

I looked down and signed my name.

Across from me, Dominic watched as I reviewed every clause, page by page.

When I signed the final page, he suddenly stood.

“Congratulations.”

I gave him a polite nod.

“Thank you, Mr. Vance.”

Outside the door, one of his security men hurried over.

“Mr. Vance, representatives from the Commission’s Compliance Committee and the Association are here. They want to question you in person about what happened three years ago and proceed

with the hearing.”