Chapter 9 - The Sentencing
Six months later, Elena and Julian faced the federal judge.
Elena had tried to cut a deal by testifying against Julian, claiming he masterminded the theft. Julian claimed Elena acted alone.
In the end, it didn't matter. The paper trail Marcus had uncovered was too damning. They were both complicit.
I didn't attend the sentencing, but Marcus called me the moment it was over.
“Five years for Elena,” Marcus reported cheerfully over the phone. “And since Julian was the CEO and the primary beneficiary of the stolen funds, he got three years in a federal penitentiary.”
“And the money?” I asked, bouncing a giggling Leo on my knee.
“Fully recovered,” Marcus said. “With civil damages attached. You officially own the patents to Julian’s startup. You can sell them for parts or burn them to the ground. It’s entirely up to you.”
“Sell them,” I said. “Put the money into a trust fund for Leo.”
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“Done,” Marcus said. “You won, Clara. It’s over.”
I hung up the phone and looked around my beautiful, sunlit living room. There was no anger left in my chest. No bitterness. Just the profound, quiet peace of a woman who had defended her life and won.
