Chapter 10 - A New Beginning
Six months later, the sun was shining brightly over the massive Sterling estate.
The dark, oppressive energy that Victoria had infected the house with was completely washed away.
I sat on the patio, sipping a perfectly brewed espresso that didn't taste like metal or death.
I was completely healthy, my energy fully restored, my empire stronger than ever.
But my greatest victory wasn't in the boardroom.
It was playing out right in front of me on the green lawns.
Leo and Julian were sprinting through the sprinklers, shrieking with pure, unadulterated joy.
Chasing right behind them, laughing brightly, was Elena.
Getting her out of jail had been the easiest phone call of my life.
With the FBI's mountain of evidence, her charges were dropped immediately.
I had given her a massive financial settlement, enough to buy her parents a house and pay off all their debts.
But when I asked her what she wanted to do next, she simply asked to come back to the boys.
She was no longer just the nanny.
She was family.
Victoria and Marcus had both pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit murder and fraud.
They turned on each other like wild dogs during the trials, each trying to secure a lighter sentence.
It didn't work.
The judge handed them both maximum sentences in federal lockup.
They would never see the outside of a concrete cell again.
I watched as Leo tackled Julian onto the soft grass, both of them giggling uncontrollably.
Elena jogged over, grabbing a towel and wrapping them up like little burritos.
Leo looked up toward the patio and saw me watching them.
He didn't look terrified anymore.
His eyes were bright, filled with the innocent light that a child should always have.
He waved his little hand at me, a massive, genuine smile spreading across his face.
I raised my espresso cup back at him.
I had survived the ultimate betrayal.
I had protected my bloodline.
I had secured my empire.
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The Sterling family was finally safe.
And as I took a long sip of my coffee, looking at my sons, I knew I had never been richer.
