Chapter 10 - The True Crown
One month later, the summer sun lit up the massive green lawn of the Vance Estate in Newport.
Hazel ran across the grass, laughing hysterically as she chased a golden retriever puppy my father had bought her for her sixth birthday. Arthur Vance sat on the terrace in a casual linen shirt, sipping tea and watching his granddaughter with a soft smile that the corporate world would never believe existed.
I walked out onto the patio, holding two glasses of fresh lemonade.
"The restructuring of Montgomery Real Estate is complete," I said, sitting down across from him. "We rebranded it as Vance Community Housing. We're building low-income units across the state."
"Good," my father said, taking a glass from my hand. "And the ex-husband?"
"Sentenced to twelve years in federal prison yesterday," I replied smoothly. "Victoria's family lost their estate, and she's currently working as a junior retail clerk to pay off her father’s legal fees."
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Arthur looked at me, his sharp eyes softened by pride. "You spent six years hiding, Genevieve. Are you glad you came back?"
I looked out at the lawn, watching Hazel trip over her own feet, fall onto the soft grass, and immediately get back up with a giant grin on her face, completely unbothered, knowing she was safe, cherished, and free.
