Chapter 10: Shadows in the Court
While healing took root in the mountains, justice completed its course in Europe.
In the Federal High Court of Geneva, Julian Cross was convicted on twelve counts of corporate manslaughter, bribery of foreign officials, and criminal conspiracy. The court sentenced him to eighteen years in maximum-security confinement, stripping him of his corporate titles and liquidating his personal wealth.
Vivienne did not attend the final sentencing. She did not need to witness his humiliation to feel whole.
Instead, she sent Harold Vance, the reformed attorney who had turned state’s evidence, with a simple legal document: a formal release of all personal civil claims against Julian, provided that his liquidated assets were transferred directly into an educational scholarship endowment for Andean children.
When the prison chaplain handed Julian the document in his holding cell, Julian stared at Vivienne’s signature.
""Why didn't she take my money for herself?"" Julian asked, his voice hollow, his hair grey and unkempt. ""She could have taken everything I owned.""
""Lady Vivienne does not build her life on vengeance, Mr. Cross,"" the chaplain replied softly. ""She builds it on grace. She left you your soul; the rest is up to you.""
May you like
Julian lowered his head, the paper shaking in his hands as the iron cell door closed behind him.
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