Chapter 15 - The Dawn of an Heir
The sunrise broke through the storm clouds in brilliant streaks of amber and gold, reflecting off the clean glass windows of St. Jude's private wing.
Clara lay propped up in the medical bed, color slowly returning to her face as the newborn slept peacefully in the bassinet beside her. Lily sat on the edge of the mattress, eating breakfast quietly, her hazel eyes bright and calm once more.
The door opened softly, and Victor walked in. He had showered, dressed in a fresh dark suit, his rugged features showing no fatigue despite thirty-six hours without sleep.
""The board convened an hour ago,"" Victor said softly, pulling a chair beside Clara's bed. ""Julian's shares have been seized under the moral turpitude clause. Eleanor was formally indicted thirty minutes ago. She will spend the rest of her days at a federal correctional facility in Indiana.""
Clara looked down at her sleeping son, then up at her father. ""And Ravenwood?""
""Ravenwood International collapsed before dawn,"" Victor answered plainly. ""Their creditors pulled out the moment Marcus's arrest was publicized. They are finished.""
Clara smiled, a deep sense of relief washing over her for the first time in years. ""What should we name him, Dad?""
May you like
Victor touched the infant's tiny, soft fingers. The child grasped his weathered thumb with surprising strength. ""That is for you to decide, Clara. He will inherit a cleaner world than the one we had to fight through.""
As Clara leaned back against her pillows, the hospital television on the wall flashed a breaking news bulletin: Julian Vance had been transferred to maximum security, but during the transit, the transport van had suddenly vanished from the highway. Victor’s phone vibrated once in his pocket with a text message consisting of a single GPS coordinate."
