The screen kept turning.
The seed round, funded by Vance Capital. His first parcel of land, guaranteed by The Vance Family Trust. The regulatory approval for the healthcare initiative, quietly steered through by Vance BioMed. Even that overseas order Victor loved to name-drop, the signature behind it belonged to a Vance.
I looked at him and spoke each word deliberately. "Victor, you actually thought these smooth ten years came from your own talent?"
His breathing turned ragged, as though a hand had closed around his throat.
"The first time an investor slammed the door in your face, I made Vance Capital change direction overnight. When a competitor drove your prices down to the brink of bankruptcy, I cut off their supply chain. That seasoned board director you liked to say saw something
