Chapter 9 - The Final Reckoning
Six months after Hope’s birth.
The sun shone brightly over the grand courtyard of the Sterling Estate—formerly known as the Vance Estate, now completely renovated with warm light, lush flower gardens, and open spaces.
Cassidy stood on the terrace, holding six-month-old Hope in her arms. The baby was giggling happily, reaching for a brightly colored rattle.
A soft footstep sounded behind her. It was Arthur.
“Ms. Sterling,” Arthur said respectfully. “I have the final report regarding the legal proceedings.”
“Go ahead, Arthur,” she said, not taking her eyes off her smiling daughter.
“Brendan’s mother, Diane, attempted to file a civil petition last week claiming entitlement to financial support from Hope’s estate,” Arthur reported. “The judge threw it out within five minutes and issued a permanent restraining order against both Diane and Brendan. If either comes within five hundred yards of you or Hope, they face immediate imprisonment.”
Cassidy nodded slowly. “And Brendan?”
“He was fired from his dealership job yesterday after getting into a public altercation with a customer who recognized him from the news stories,” Arthur said. “He and his mother are moving out of the city.”
Cassidy felt no bitterness, no hatred, and no lingering pain. The revenge she had taken was not out of malice, but out of absolute, necessary justice. They had destroyed themselves through their own greed and arrogance; she had simply stepped out of the way and let gravity do its job.
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“Thank you, Arthur,” she said sincerely. “For everything you’ve done.”
Arthur bowed his head slightly. “It has been the greatest honor of my professional life to serve you, Chairwoman.”
