Chapter 8 - The Aftermath
The scandal rocked the Northeast financial sector for months.
Preston Vance was convicted on nine federal counts, including attempted murder via heavy metal poisoning, and sentenced to twenty-eight years in a maximum-security federal prison without possibility of parole.
Margaret Ashford, unable to handle the public humiliation and impending prison sentence for tax fraud and conspiracy, pleaded guilty and was sentenced to eight years, her family name permanently erased from Boston society.
Sloan was permitted to give birth under federal custody at a secure medical facility. Upon the child's birth, full legal custody was surrendered to an independent guardian, while Sloan began serving her twelve-year sentence for conspiracy and attempted poisoning.
As for Moretti Enterprises?
The exposure of the fraud sent our stock soaring to an all-time high. Investors rallied around the company, praising the flawless execution and tactical brilliance with which I had protected the corporate assets.
Six months after the gala, I sat in my private office overlooking the ocean, reading the final liquidation reports of the Ashford properties.
A knock came at the door.
My new chief legal counsel—a brilliant thirty-two-year-old corporate attorney named Clara Sterling—walked into the room carrying a thin leather portfolio.
Clara was sharp, modest, and possessed an impeccable legal mind. Unlike Preston, she had built her reputation defending victims of corporate fraud.
"Mr. Moretti," Clara said, her voice professional and warm. "The Ashford estate in Beacon Hill has been officially transferred to the Moretti Charitable Foundation. We've converted the property into a pediatric recovery center for underprivileged children, just as you requested."
"Thank you, Clara," I said, offering her a chair. "And the financial audit?"
"Clean," Clara smiled, placing the verified documents on my desk. "Every dollar is accounted for. Every trust clause has been rewritten. No single individual—including yourself—can alter the corporate succession without unanimous board and judicial approval."
I looked at the papers, then looked up at Clara.
May you like
"You did good work, Clara," I said sincerely.
"I work for an honest man, Mr. Moretti," she replied softly, holding my gaze. "It makes the job easy."
