Chapter 13 - The Man Who Wanted Min Gone
Mercer attempted one final defense.
He claimed Voss had acted independently.
He claimed Reed had accepted payments without Mercer's knowledge.
He claimed the mine collapse was unavoidable.
Then Peter Hale's private correspondence was introduced.
One letter contained Mercer's own instruction:
Delay timber replacement until next quarter. Production cannot stop.
The case changed immediately.
Mercer's attorney asked for recess.
Judge Warren denied it.
Outside court, Voss approached Hilton.
“When this is done, I'm leaving.”
“Where?”
“Don't know.”
Hilton nodded.
Voss looked toward Min.
“You think she'll ever forgive me?”
“No.”
Voss seemed surprised.
Hilton continued.
“Forgiveness isn't something you earn by asking often enough.”
Voss absorbed that.
“So what do I do?”
“Become the kind of man who wouldn't do it again.”
Voss nodded.
It was not redemption.
But perhaps it was the beginning of accountability.
That evening, Hilton told Min about the conversation.
She listened.
“Good answer.”
“You think?”
“Yes.”
“Do you forgive him?”
Min looked toward Jian’s grave.
“Maybe one day. Maybe never.”
Hilton nodded.
“Both are yours to choose.”
She took his hand.
May you like
That sentence mattered more than he realized.
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