Derek opened his mouth.

Nothing came out.

He had never really considered the question.

He had always thought of intimidation as entertainment.

A way to attract attention.

A way to show confidence.

A way to make people respect him.

Now, standing in front of Arthur without his gloves or cameras, the answer sounded ugly.

“Because I thought it would make me look strong.”

Arthur nodded slowly.

“And did it?”

Derek looked toward the reporters.

The closed doors.

The security guards.

His father speaking angrily into a phone across the hallway.

“No.”

Arthur’s expression softened.

“Then perhaps you’ve learned something.”

Derek looked at him.

“Do you forgive me?”

Arthur thought carefully.

“I believe you’re sorry.”

Derek waited.

“But forgiveness isn’t a shortcut around responsibility.”

The words settled between them.

Derek nodded.

“I understand.”

Arthur glanced at the bruise visible beneath Derek’s jaw.

“You need to let a doctor look at that.”

Derek gave a small, humorless laugh.

“You’re still worried about me?”

“I’m worried about anybody who gets hurt unnecessarily.”

Derek looked away.

He couldn’t remember the last time his own father had asked him whether he was injured after a fight.

Arthur stepped toward the conference-room doors.

Then stopped.

“Derek.”

The younger man turned.

“Yes, sir?”

“You’re a talented fighter.”

Derek looked surprised.

Arthur continued.

“Don’t waste that talent trying to make other people feel small.”

Derek nodded.

For once, he had nothing clever to say.

The board’s decision came shortly afterward.

The safety suspension against the Red Door Project was lifted, allowing supervised access to its supplies and the resumption of its holiday operations.

The redevelopment proposal was placed on hold pending an independent review of the promotional arrangements and relevant contracts.

The senior mall executive who had approved the advance statement was removed from authority over the project during the investigation.

Emily’s disciplinary suspension was rescinded.

And the company announced that it would preserve all available video, correspondence, and financial records for external investigators.

Graham Sloan wasn’t arrested that afternoon.

Real investigations didn’t work that quickly.

But his investment group faced serious questions about potential fraud, improper influence, and the attempt to manipulate a public safety review.