Miriam began crying without tears. “Sienna provoked him. She was ruining his future.”
I looked directly at her. “Your son ruined his future the moment he decided marriage made another human being his property.”
Fletcher played the recording from my watch. Miriam’s voice filled the room: “My son had to teach her obedience.”
Then Garrick’s threat followed: “You are seventy-one. Accidents happen.”
When the recording ended, no one spoke.
Garrick whispered, “Mother, fix this.” But Miriam only stared.
The detectives arrested Garrick for domestic assault, unlawful restraint, witness intimidation, and destruction of evidence. Miriam was arrested for conspiracy, evidence tampering, and financial crimes. Garrick’s brother was detained after records connected him to two shell vendors.
As they led Garrick outside, he twisted toward Sienna. “You’ll have nothing without me.”
Sienna stood tall. “Watch me.”
One Year Later
Three months later, Garrick pleaded guilty after federal investigators traced nine million dollars through false vendors. He received eleven years in prison. Miriam received six. His brother cooperated, but still served eighteen months.
Ashford Industries recovered most of the stolen money through seized assets and insurance. The junior accountant they had tried to frame received both an apology and a promotion.
Sienna declined Diana’s generous offer to work in compliance. She wanted a life that did not belong to Garrick.