Chapter 13
GUILTY ON ALL TWENTY-FOUR COUNTS OF FEDERAL FRAUD AND CORRUPTION, the evening news anchors broadcasted nationwide.
The sentence was swift and severe: twenty years in a maximum-security federal penitentiary with no possibility of early parole.
Emily watched the broadcast from her apartment living room, sipping a cup of herbal tea in total silence.
There was no sense of triumph or malicious joy in her heart, only the quiet peace of absolute closure.
Her phone rang, displaying Marcus Thorne's office number flashing across the illuminated screen.
"It's over, Dr. Davidson... the judge handed down the maximum sentence," Marcus reported professionally.
"Thank you for your relentless dedication to seeing justice served, Marcus," Emily replied sincerely.
"You earned every bit of this peace, Emily... enjoy your future," Marcus said before wishing her a good evening.
May you like
Emily hung up the phone, walking over to the large glass window to look out over the glittering Boston skyline.
The city lights stretched endlessly into the horizon, mirroring the limitless possibilities of her newly reclaimed life.
