Chapter 13 - THE FALL OF AN EMPIRE
Dawn broke over the Swiss Alps, painting the snow-capped peaks in shades of bruised purple and burning gold.
The private Gulfstream soared back across the Atlantic, carrying a very different set of passengers than the ones who had arrived.
In the main cabin, Richard Sterling and Vanessa sat handcuffed to bolted seats.
Their expensive designer clothes were rumpled, their faces pale and defeated.
In the forward cabin, Margaret Vale sat comfortably with her daughter, sipping hot coffee, color returning to her cheeks.
Dominic stood near the cockpit window, staring out into the endless horizon.
His phone buzzed continuously.
Alerts from New York.
Headlines flashing across international news networks.
*STERLING ENTERPRISES COLLAPSES: MASSIVE FRAUD AND EMBEZZLEMENT SCANDAL ROCKS WALL STREET.*
*FEDERAL AGENTS RAID MORETTI SYNDICATE PROPERTIES; ADRIAN MORETTI ARRESTED FOR THE 2021 MURDER OF ELENA MORETTI.*
*DOCUMENTS IMPLICATE TOP CITY OFFICIALS IN MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR CHARITY FRAUD.*
The empire built on lies and stolen blood was burning to the ground.
Viktor walked up beside Dominic, handing him a secure tablet.
“The attorney general’s office just accepted our formal submission of the evidence, Boss. Arrest warrants for Richard and Vanessa are waiting for us on the tarmac in New York.”
Dominic nodded slowly.
He looked back toward the seating area where Hannah was smiling softly as her mother recounted how she had survived in hiding.
The mirror had done its job.
The truth, hidden behind faded blue ink and framed in carved antique wood, had finally seen the light.
Dominic walked over to where Hannah and Margaret sat.
Margaret looked up, her eyes filled with deep gratitude.
“Thank you, Mr. Moretti,” Margaret said softly. “For everything.”
“You kept Elena’s secret safe,” Dominic replied. “You saved what mattered most.”
Hannah looked up at Dominic, her eyes shining with quiet strength.
“What happens now, sir?”
May you like
Dominic glanced out the window as the familiar skyline of New York City rose through the morning clouds.
“Now,” Dominic said, a faint, genuine smile touching the corners of his lips for the first time in four years, “we rebuild.”
