Chapter 9 - The Cleanup
The fallout from the arrests dominated the national news for the next three weeks.
The media dubbed it the "Black Widow Boardroom Bust," detailing every horrifying aspect of Clara and Victor's scheme.
The police searched Victor's private properties and found enough evidence to lock them both away for multiple lifetimes.
They discovered the offshore accounts, the forged medical records, and the dark web purchases of the neurotoxin.
At the company, I initiated a ruthless purge of the executive board, firing anyone who had been loyal to Victor's hostile takeover plans.
Orion Bio-Systems' stock took a brief hit during the scandal but rebounded stronger than ever once the public realized I was fully in control.
My hearing had fully restored itself, leaving no permanent damage thanks to the brief time I actually ingested the poison.
I threw out every piece of furniture, every rug, and every dish Cassandra had ever touched in my home.
I hired a completely new interior designer to erase her presence from the cliffside estate entirely.
But there was still one piece of unfinished business that required my personal attention.
I flew my private jet up to Seattle, bringing a stack of legal documents and a small, brightly wrapped gift box.
Elias had secured a beautiful, safe house in a quiet suburban neighborhood for Elena and Leo.
When I knocked on the front door, Elena answered, looking healthier and more relaxed than I had ever seen her.
She smiled brightly, stepping aside to let me into the warm, sunlit living room.
Leo was sitting on the floor, playing with a massive set of building blocks.
I knelt down on the carpet, setting the wrapped gift box gently in front of him.
May you like
I promised you I would beat the bad lady, I signed to him.
Leo’s eyes lit up, and he eagerly tore the paper off the box.
