Chapter 10 - The Sovereign Queen
The transition of power was swift and completely merciless.
By the time the sun rose over the Atlantic Ocean the next morning, Nathan’s empire was officially liquidated.
Serena sat at the head of the Ashford Capital boardroom, signing the final documents that dissolved Langley Meridian Group into nothing but memory.
The news outlets were completely dominated by the scandal.
Nathan and Vanessa were denied bail, locked in federal holding cells while they awaited a trial that would undoubtedly end in decades of prison time.
Eleanor and Camille were forced to quietly pack their bags and move into a small, rented apartment on the outskirts of the city, their lavish lifestyle entirely revoked.
Serena reclaimed her oceanfront estate, immediately ordering the staff to throw away every single item that had belonged to the Langley family.
She didn't feel a single ounce of regret.
She had protected her father’s legacy, destroyed the parasites who had tried to consume her, and finally stepped into the brilliant light of her true power.
For the first time in seven years, Serena Ashford was completely, entirely free.
A month later, Serena hosted an exclusive victory celebration in her Miami penthouse.
The music was soft, the champagne was flawless, and she stood on the balcony looking out at the city she now effectively owned.
She was happy, surrounded by the elite board members who respected her absolute authority.
Marcus quietly stepped out onto the balcony, holding a silver tray with a single item on it.
"Excuse me, Ms. Ashford, but this just arrived via private courier," Marcus said, his voice unusually tense.
Serena turned around and picked up a thick, black envelope sealed with dark red wax.
She broke the seal, pulled out a single photograph, and felt her heart completely stop.
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It was a picture of her late father’s private jet, taken just seconds before it mysteriously crashed ten years ago, but there was a message written across the image in fresh, dark blood.
"He didn't die by accident, and you are next."
