Chapter 9 - The Court of Karma
The fallout was swift and brutal.
Because the evidence was so overwhelming—thanks to the meticulous records kept by Marcus Thorne and handed over by Vance—my parents couldn't even mount a defense. They took a plea deal.
Richard Vanderbilt was sentenced to seven years in federal prison for wire fraud and embezzlement. Eleanor got three years as an accomplice.
Chloe, left with absolutely nothing and completely cut off from the trust I had established, was evicted from her luxury apartment.
A month after the sentencing, she showed up at the lobby of the Aegis Holdings building. She looked completely different. Her designer clothes were gone, replaced by a cheap, wrinkled blouse. Her hair was unkempt. The arrogance was completely scrubbed from her face.
Security stopped her in the lobby, but I happened to be walking out to my car.
“Sarah! Sarah, please!” she cried out, trying to push past the guard.
I held up a hand, signaling the guard to let her speak.
“What do you want, Chloe?”
“I have nothing,” she sobbed, tears spilling down her face. “Mom and Dad are gone. I can't pay my rent. I’m working at a coffee shop and I can't survive. Please. You have millions. Just give me a small allowance. I’m your sister.”
I looked at her. I didn't feel anger anymore. I just felt a profound, chilling emptiness.
“When I was in the clinic,” I said, my voice echoing in the marble lobby, “begging for money to save my arm, you told me I was ruining your vibe. You told me to take an Advil.”
Chloe flinched as if I had struck her. “I was stupid! I was selfish! I’m sorry!”
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“I accept your apology,” I said smoothly. “But actions have consequences. You wanted a luxury lifestyle without earning it. Now you have to earn it. Go back to the coffee shop, Chloe. Work hard. Build a life. But you will not see a single cent of this company's money.”
I turned my back on her and walked through the sliding glass doors, her desperate pleas fading into the background traffic of the city.
