Chapter 10 - The Empire Reborn
Margaret coughed violently, dropping her weapon as the heavy gas quickly filled her lungs.
She clawed at her throat, her eyes rolling back before she collapsed unconscious onto the marble floor.
Vance had handed Arthur, Maya, and me small rebreather masks just before I hit the button.
We stood safely in the center of the room, watching the woman who had terrorized us finally fall.
Minutes later, federal tactical teams breached the compound, arresting the confused cartel soldiers outside.
The authorities found Margaret and dragged her away in heavy, restrictive iron chains.
Julian had miraculously survived the shootout at the bank, but he was arrested by the FBI as he tried to flee the country.
Both of them were sentenced to consecutive life terms in a maximum-security federal prison without parole.
Arthur Vanderbilt recovered quickly and invited Maya and me to live with him permanently at the estate.
He formally adopted me, changing his will to make me the sole, legitimate heir to his massive billionaire empire.
I used my new wealth to fund domestic abuse charities and ensure no woman ever suffered like I did.
My sister went back to her studies, safe and protected by a heavily upgraded, elite security detail.
Vance became the head of my personal security, and over time, he became my most trusted friend.
I finally had the family, the peace, and the beautiful, luxurious life I truly deserved.
One sunny afternoon, I was drinking tea on the balcony when Vance handed me a thick manila envelope.
It had no return address, and the red wax seal on the back was stamped with Margaret's personal crest.
May you like
I opened it to find a recent photograph of Julian walking freely out of a prison transport van.
Attached was a handwritten note that read, "Did you really think Julian was the only illegitimate child I hid?"
