Chapter 10 - The Amber Legacy
Six months later, the financial headlines in the Wall Street Journal read: HALCYON TECH RESTRUCTURED UNDER STERLING-VANCE TRUST; FORMER EXECS FACING LIFE IMPRISONMENT.
The corporate world had spun on without missing a beat, but inside the Bainbridge Island estate, time moved differently.
It was a bright Saturday afternoon. The gardens were blooming with wildflowers, and the sound of children's laughter echoed across the lawn. Aura—now officially adopted, enrolled in a local school, and wearing clothes that actually fit her—was racing the golden retriever puppy across the grass, her dark hair flying behind her in the wind.
Alexander stood on the patio, watching her from the shade of the pergola.
Parker walked up quietly, placing a leather-bound folder on the outdoor table. "The final restructuring papers for the foundation are signed, Mr. Sterling. The children's advocacy fund is officially fully funded."
"Thank you, Parker," Alexander said, not taking his eyes off Aura as she chased the dog toward the shoreline.
May you like
"You know," Parker remarked quietly, adjusting his cuffs, "you're a very different man than you were six months ago."
Alexander smiled, reaching into his pocket and pulling out the worn, faded photograph of Clare that he had found hidden in the back of the envelope. He placed it carefully beside his coffee cup, letting the morning sun warm the edges.
