Chapter 8 - The Woman Who Refused To Abandon Him
Adrien spent three weeks in federal custody.
Amelia worked beside the attorneys.
The ledger was released.
Names came out.
Corrupt officials resigned.
Judges were arrested.
Business empires collapsed.
Victor's network began to unravel.
But prosecutors still wanted Adrien.
Amelia discovered the missing piece.
The recording had been edited.
The original contained another sentence.
Her father had recorded the conversation.
"I'll destroy anyone who touches my family."
Then Adrien had added:
"But I will never hurt innocent people."
The sentence had been cut.
The evidence was enough to change everything.
But finding the original file required one final witness.
Daniel Price.
He had been Victor's inside man.
But he had also kept backups.
Daniel agreed to testify.
Only under one condition.
Amelia had to personally guarantee protection for his family.
She did.
The trial began.
The city watched.
Adrien stood before the judge.
Amelia sat in the first row.
When she saw him, he smiled.
She didn't smile back.
She mouthed:
Stay.
His expression softened.
The trial lasted weeks.
Finally, Adrien was cleared of the murders and major conspiracy charges.
He still faced lesser charges related to illegal business operations.
Instead of fleeing, he accepted them.
He signed over several companies.
Closed the criminal division.
Transferred legitimate businesses to employees.
Sold the rest.
The old Valente empire disappeared.
For the first time, Adrien owned nothing that could be used as a weapon.
Then he returned home.
Amelia was waiting on the estate steps.
He stopped.
"You stayed."
"I told you I would."
"I thought you might change your mind."
"I did."
His heart sank.
"About what?"
She smiled.
"I changed my mind about leaving."
He laughed.
She ran into his arms.
He held her tightly.
"I don't deserve you."
"Probably not."
He looked at her.
"That's cruel."
"I'm honest."
He kissed her forehead.
"Marry me."
She froze.
"What?"
"I've loved you for months."
"Months?"
"Longer."
She stared.
"How long?"
He smiled.
"Since you argued with me over the flower budget."
"You remember that?"
"I remember everything about you."
Tears filled her eyes.
"Yes."
He blinked.
"Yes?"
"Yes, I'll marry you."
He kissed her.
For the first time, there were no secrets between them.
Or so they thought.
Because across the city, Victor sat in a prison interview room.
And someone entered.
A woman wearing a silver bracelet.
Elena.
Victor smiled.
"You still came."
Elena sat down.
"I came for the truth."
May you like
Victor leaned forward.
"Then ask your brother why your father really died."
