Chapter 15 - THE CRYSTAL RECLAIMED
Six months later.
The grand ballroom of the city’s premier hotel was empty, bathed in the soft afternoon sunlight streaming through the tall arched windows. The crystal chandelier hung overhead, quiet and motionless, casting tiny rainbow reflections across the pristine, newly polished floorboards.
Marissa stood in the center of the hall, wearing a simple, elegant navy coat.
Behind her, the double doors clicked open, and Julian stepped into the room, holding a briefcase.
"The liquidation of the Vance corporate holdings is officially complete," Julian reported, walking up to stand beside her. "All offshore accounts have been seized, the creditors have been paid in full, and the remaining assets have been placed into an untouchable educational trust for Lily."
"And Gareth?" Marissa asked, keeping her eyes fixed on the chandelier above.
"He accepted a plea bargain. Eight years at the state penitentiary," Julian replied. "Eleanor’s legal team exhausted their last appeal yesterday. She’ll be serving fifteen years without parole."
Marissa breathed in deeply, feeling the cool, clean air fill her lungs. For the first time in her life, the suffocating weight of her family's shadow was gone.
The double doors opened once more, and small, rhythmic footsteps echoed across the marble floor.
Lily ran into the ballroom, her white sneakers squeaking happily against the polished wood. She wore a bright yellow summer dress, her hair flowing freely, the mark on her forehead long gone, leaving behind perfectly smooth skin.
"Mommy! Look!" Lily called out, holding up a small sketchbook filled with bright, colorful drawings of oceans and trees. "The driver said we can go to the beach now!"
May you like
Marissa smiled—a genuine, warm smile that reached all the way to her eyes. She crouched down as Lily ran into her arms, wrapping her daughter in a tight, loving embrace.
"Yes, sweetie," Marissa whispered into her hair, holding her close as the golden sunlight swept across the vast, peaceful ballroom. "We can go anywhere we want now."
