Chapter 6: The Price of Power

5. The Seven Sufferings of Life

Richard’s decline was slow and painful. He battled depression, haunted by memories of betrayal. Friends tried to help, but the weight of his past was too heavy.

Richard’s sons struggled to keep the business afloat. They renamed it Sehan Group, hoping to build something new from the ashes of the past.

Benjamin refused to intervene. He watched his nephews struggle, believing that every man must forge his own destiny. The family’s wounds deepened, and the brothers’ dreams died with the company.

Tragedy struck. The Whitaker name became synonymous with heartbreak, and the family’s legacy was forever tarnished.

Charles’s family prospered abroad. They built new lives in London, their fortunes secure but their hearts heavy with regret.

The CJ Group became a powerhouse, rivaling Apple in some markets. The feud between the families persisted, shaping the business landscape for decades.

Lawsuits flew back and forth, the battle for inheritance turning into a spectacle. Benjamin emerged victorious, his control over Apple unchallenged.

The company’s dominance was complete. Its influence stretched from Wall Street to Silicon Valley, and the Whitaker name was etched in history.

Charles’s final years were spent in quiet exile. He died surrounded by family, his legacy a mix of triumph and tragedy.

Benjamin’s leadership was transformative. He redefined the balance of power, making Apple a force that even Washington couldn’t ignore.

Benjamin’s reputation grew darker. He was seen as untouchable, a man whose influence shaped policy and public opinion alike.

The press tried to expose him, but Benjamin’s network was too strong. Every scandal was buried, every accusation dismissed. He became a legend, feared and respected in equal measure.

Presidential pardons became routine. Benjamin’s name was whispered in the halls of power, his reach extending far beyond Apple.

Emily’s death shocked the family. The tabloids ran wild, speculating about the pressures of life at the top. Benjamin’s absence at the funeral was noted by everyone.

Family and friends gathered in a sunlit chapel on the Upper East Side, but Benjamin stayed away, his grief hidden behind closed doors. It was a silence that spoke volumes, and the city mourned with them.

Benjamin’s passing was front-page news. Obituaries praised his achievements, but few mourned the man behind the empire. His legacy was power—unforgiving, unyielding, and absolute.