Chapter 7 - The Cleansing of the Empire
By sunrise the next morning, the last remaining shadows of the old corruption were swept away.
Thomas Miller was remanded to a maximum-security federal holding facility without bail, facing charges of attempted murder, treason, and kidnapping.
Victoria Hale and her father were convicted in an expedited federal trial six weeks later. Victoria was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the murder of Harrison Cole, while her father received thirty years for his role in the financial conspiracy.
At the Cole Global headquarters in downtown Boston, the atmosphere was completely transformed.
The dark, imposing portraits of corrupt old board members that used to line the executive hallway were removed. In their place hung bright, beautiful paintings purchased from local community art centers.
Nathan stood behind his massive mahogany desk, watching a construction crew install a new glass plaque on the building’s main lobby wall:
THE GRACE & LILY COLE HUMANITARIAN FOUNDATION
The double doors of his office opened softly.
Grace stepped inside, looking radiant in a knee-length navy dress. Her dark hair fell in soft waves around her shoulders, and her eyes, once filled with fear and exhaustion, were now bright with peace and happiness.
She held a small silver tray carrying a cup of black coffee and a fresh pastry.
Nathan smiled, stepping out from behind his desk. “Are you still trying to be my maid, Miss Bennett?”
Grace laughed—a light, musical sound that filled the grand office with warmth. She set the tray on the coffee table.
“Old habits die hard, Mr. Cole,” Grace teased, stepping into his arms as his hands found her waist. “Besides, I heard the CEO gives very good tips.”
Nathan pulled her close, resting his chin on top of her head as they looked out the floor-to-ceiling windows at the sparkling harbor below.
“Arthur finalized the paperwork this morning,” Nathan said gently. “Fifty percent of Cole Global’s voting shares have been transferred into a trust for Lily. And forty percent have been placed in your name.”
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Grace looked up at him, surprised. “Nathan... I don't need shares in a company. I just need you.”
“You rebuilt my heart from dust, Grace,” Nathan said, his dark eyes filled with absolute, unshakeable devotion. “Everything I own, everything I am, belongs to you and Lily anyway. I’m just making it official.”
