Chapter 15 - The Ultimate CheckmateEthan’s eyes scanned the document through the glass, and for the first time since they were kids, absolute, unadulterated terror washed over his face.
"No..." Ethan breathed, pressing harder against the glass. "What did you do?"
"I legally severed every single drop of biological and corporate lineage connecting me to the Sterling name," Claire said, her voice dropping to a chilling whisper. "I filed an emergency motion to dissolve Sterling Global Enterprises entirely, converting all remaining liquid capital into a public victim-restitution fund bearing my mother’s real maiden name."
Ethan slammed his fist against the plexiglass. "You're insane! You just threw away billions of dollars! You threw away your own empire!"
"I didn't throw it away, Ethan," Claire smiled—a sharp, victorious smile that finally reached her eyes. "I burned it to the ground. Just like you burned my family twenty-five years ago."
She hung up the telephone receiver with a soft, definitive click.
Ethan screamed something behind the glass, his voice drowned out by the harsh buzzing of the prison alarm as the guards stepped forward to pull him back.
May you like
Claire turned around, walking down the long corridor toward the heavy steel exit doors. The heavy winter sunlight hit her face as she stepped outside into the crisp air. She took a deep, liberating breath.
The empire of lies was gone. The game was over. And for the first time in her life, Claire was completely, terrifyingly free.
