Chapter 208: The Weight of Consequences
Orion could only watch in helpless silence as the police escorted Griffon away. Despite his earlier reassurances that neither the police nor Alaric would find any substantial evidence against him, Griffon’s calm demeanor did little to ease Orion’s panic. How could she possibly stay composed in such a situation?
Frantic and desperate, Orion dialed Cormac’s number, her hands trembling. Cormac was at the hospital, where Ravenna’s condition had worsened, and she’d been rushed back into the emergency room. Only a short while later, Ravenna had emerged—her semi-conscious state now replaced by a deep coma.
The weight of the moment hit Cormac the moment he saw Orion’s name on his phone. He knew exactly what it was about.
Orion’s voice cracked through the phone. “Cormac, Dad was taken away by the police. You have to do something—save him! Please!”
Tears poured from Orion’s eyes as she cried uncontrollably. “I know you and Dad have had your differences, but he’s still your father. You can’t just leave him to rot.”
On the other end of the line, Cormac’s heart twisted. How could he save Griffon when Ravenna’s life hung in the balance? He had no answers. “I can’t do anything, Orion. Let the police handle it. I’m not even sure I can take care of Mom right now.”
Orion’s sobs grew louder. “Cormac, don’t turn your back on him! He’s still our father!”
“I’m not turning my back on him,” Cormac’s voice was strained, “but I honestly can’t do anything. Not right now.”
Just as he ended the call, a nurse entered with a medical cart and prepared to administer an injection to Ravenna. Cormac’s heart was too heavy to bear. After the nurse left, Cormac sat by his mother’s side, taking her hand.
“Mom… can you hear me?” he whispered, his voice breaking. Tears filled his eyes as he continued, “I’m so sorry. I’ve been selfish all these years, throwing tantrums… I should have been here with you. I’m so sorry.”
The guilt weighed down on him. He’d walked away from home for years, angry with Griffon, but in doing so, he’d abandoned Ravenna. And now, it might be too late to make amends.
“Griffon’s actions… they’re karma, aren’t they?” Cormac thought bitterly to himself. “Look where they’ve led us.”
He couldn’t even remember the last time he’d eaten or slept properly. His mind was too clouded with worry over Ravenna’s condition and now Griffon’s arrest. Orion, too, was nowhere to be found, likely caught up in her own panic.
The media had exploded in response to Griffon’s arrest.
“Top star Orion’s father, the entertainment mogul Griffon, arrested for allegedly hiring a hitman. Investigation underway!”
“Orion’s reputation in jeopardy as Nash Group faces turmoil. Investors and fans demand answers!”
“Shares of Nash Group plummet as Griffon’s scandal shakes the industry!”
It wasn’t just the tabloids. Even mainstream news was buzzing. The collapse of the Nash family was imminent, and the headlines made Cormac feel like he couldn’t breathe. He turned off his phone and sank back into his chair, lost in his thoughts.
If the evidence against Griffon was confirmed, Nash Group would undoubtedly go bankrupt. Not only would Griffon face legal consequences, but Orion—despite being innocent—would suffer the public fallout. The investors would pull out, partners would sever ties, and artists under the Nash Group would demand compensation. Cormac couldn’t even imagine how his family would recover from this.
As he looked at Ravenna, still unconscious, the pain of the situation hit him all over again. If she woke up from this coma, how could she even process what was happening to their family?
What could he do?
The sense of darkness that threatened to overwhelm him made him freeze in place, too scared to think any further.
Meanwhile, Galatea’s heart was heavy as she skimmed the latest news reports. Every headline seemed to signal the end of the Nash family’s empire. She turned to Alaric, a troubled look on her face.
“If Griffon is convicted, will the Nash family go bankrupt?” she asked quietly.
Alaric nodded. “Yes, but it’s worse than just that. I’ve heard rumors that Nash Group is also under investigation for tax evasion and illegal operations. The FBI is about to file a case.”
Galatea frowned, her mind drifting to the past. “It’s always the same, isn’t it? When someone’s down, everyone piles on.”
Alaric sighed, his expression darkening. “In an industry like this, when a giant like the Nash family falls, it’s a feeding frenzy for the competitors. They’ll tear Griffon apart.”
Galatea shook her head. “He deserves it. No sympathy for him. But Cormac… it’s just a shame for him. If the Nash family goes under, he’ll have nothing left.”
Alaric remained silent for a moment, his thoughts heavy. He had known Cormac since childhood, and he understood the kind of person he was. He didn’t deserve to be caught up in his father’s mess. But there was little anyone could do.
“I’ll give him a call,” Alaric said, breaking the silence.
But when he tried, Cormac didn’t answer.
“Let him be for now,” Alaric murmured, staring at his phone. “He needs peace, even if it’s just for a little while.”
Galatea nodded quietly, knowing that what Cormac was facing was something far beyond her own experience.
Alaric turned to her, his expression hardening with resolve. “Griffon’s actions have ruined everything. He deserves every consequence he faces. But I’ll be damned if I let this affect Cormac’s future too.”
He paused, his voice softening. “Let’s not talk about him anymore. It’s Friday. How about we pick up the kids and have dinner together?”