Chapter 15

Three months later, Godfrey Group collapsed. Its core investors pulled out one after another. Tristan couldn't bring in new money before the cash flow ran dry. The chain snapped completely. The company went into bankruptcy restructuring. Years ago, to secure funding, Tristan signed multiple personal guarantees with unlimited joint liability. Overnight, he fell from the top straight into crushing debt. The day he moved out of the villa, a light drizzle was falling. He took one suitcase and went back to the old building he'd rented seven years ago. The elderly landlady was sitting outside the first-floor convenience store, picking vegetables. When she looked up and saw Tristan, her eyes widened. "Tristan?" Tristan tugged at the corner of his mouth. "Mrs. Chester, do you still have an empty unit?" Charlotte Chester stared at him for a few seconds, almost dazed. "501. It's been empty. Where's Riley? I haven't seen her in ages." Tristan's fingers twitched. "She's doing well." "T