Within 24 hours, Scott had gone from being a respected, successful managing director, happily married with three grown-up children, to an unemployable has-been whose life had been turned upside down. Within six months, his wife had left him and was facing sexual assault charges.

His son had been caught with drugs in college and was facing a possible custodial sentence. His daughter's marriage was under pressure because she could not keep up with the mortgage payments.

To his eternal regret, he had not seen any of it coming, and no amount of love or understanding from family or friends diminished the bitter taste that lingered in his mouth. He wanted, no, he needed revenge.

Nobody seemed to comprehend or understand the depth of his hurt. His discipline, diligence, and loyalty had accounted for nothing.

He had always refused to compromise his principles, never entertaining the many bribes he was offered to enrich his personal bank account to the detriment of the Company. He felt like a fool now.

He had allowed the Company to discard him without a fight. They had shown little thought for the consequences for him or his family.

He was done being nice. The pursuit of revenge and retribution consumed him.

He would not rest until they suffered, just as they had made him do. He would trust no one and confide in no one.

Within 18 months, he became a multimillionaire by operating a dubious scheme outside the law. The revenue was now suspicious, and he was being investigated.

His entire family were individually and collectively facing disaster. What would happen in the next six months would transform all their lives in ways they could never have expected.

Scott became the man he had tried desperately not to be and traded honour and loyalty for revenge and financial security. .