Chapter 8 - The Price of Greed
Six months later, the federal trial concluded at the state supreme courthouse.
The evidence compiled by my legal team and the federal forensic auditors was insurmountable. Evelyn Miller was sentenced to twelve years in a federal penitentiary for grand larceny, wire fraud, and corporate conspiracy.
Derek Miller received seven years for attempted extortion, felony breaking and entering, and illegal confinement.
The Miller family holdings were liquidated to pay restitution to the victims of their financial schemes, wiping their name completely from the city's business registry.
On a crisp spring morning, I sat inside the office of the city registrar with Julian Vance.
The clerk stamped the final annulment decree, officially striking Derek's name from my civil records and declaring our brief fourteen-hour marriage legally void as if it had never existed.
"It's completely over, Genevieve," Julian said, passing me a pen to sign the final release. "You are officially free."
I took the pen and signed my name—Genevieve Sterling—with a steady, firm hand.
Leaving the courthouse, the morning sun broke through the clouds, warming the polished stone steps. For the first time in six months, the heavy weight that had rested on my shoulders since my father's passing was completely gone.
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I didn't feel vengeful. I felt peaceful.
I had protected my father's legacy, defended my dignity, and proven that no amount of cruelty or arrogance could crush a spirit determined to fight for justice.
