Chapter 18 - The Final EchoKatherine didn't stand up immediately. She remained seated behind her massive mahogany desk, looking at him with the same detached neutrality she had given him at the art gallery months ago.
"You shouldn't be here, Reginald," she said evenly. "This floor requires security clearance."
"I lost everything, Katherine," Reginald choked out, his eyes welling with tears as he gripped the back of a guest chair. "Chloe left me the week the federal indictments dropped. My construction license was revoked. The bank took the house, the car, everything. I'm facing five years in federal prison for the Bracken Ridge routing signatures."
Katherine looked at him, feeling neither satisfaction nor malice—only the final, absolute closure of a chapter long since finished.
"You signed those documents willingly, Reginald," Katherine said softly. "You built a life on deception, and when the foundation cracked, you blamed everyone except yourself. I warned you years ago that dishonesty always catches up to the ledger."
Reginald sank into the chair, burying his face in his hands, his shoulders shaking with silent, bitter sobs. "I was stupid. I thought I was the smart one. I lost the only person who ever truly cared about me."
"No, Reginald," Katherine corrected him gently, standing up and walking over to the panoramic window overlooking the vibrant city skyline. "You didn't lose me. You simply drove me away because you couldn't handle standing next to someone who refused to shrink."
May you like
She turned back to face him one last time.
"My assistant will show you out. Good luck with your legal proceedings, Reginald."
