THE MUSIC BOX MILLIONAIRE

The following morning, the Chicago business world woke up to a seismic shock.

The news of Charles's arrest dominated the front pages. Whitfield Development Group was placed in immediate receivership. The investors, guided by Mr. Sterling, agreed to work directly with my holding company, isolating Charles's toxic debts completely.

Savannah’s family attempted to flee to Florida, but her brother Thomas—the corrupt notary—was arrested at O’Hare International Airport. To save himself, he turned state’s evidence, handing over all the emails proving Savannah and Charles had premeditated the forgery.

I sat on the back patio of the Lake Forest estate, wrapped in a thick wool shawl, watching the autumn leaves fall across the lawn.

The house felt incredibly quiet, but for the first time in a decade, it wasn't a lonely quiet. It was peaceful. The heavy, oppressive atmosphere Charles always brought with him—the constant demands, the belittling comments, the endless need for applause—was entirely gone.

I held a mug of chamomile tea, letting the steam warm my face.

A car door slammed in the driveway.

A few minutes later, David walked out onto the patio. He wasn't wearing his stiff corporate suit. He wore jeans and a comfortable sweater, looking more relaxed than I had seen him in years.

He was holding the hand of a little girl with bright blonde pigtails.

"Grandma!" six-year-old Lily shouted, dropping her father's hand and sprinting across the stone patio.

I set my tea down and caught her in a tight hug, inhaling the sweet smell of strawberry shampoo. "Oh, my sweet girl. Look how fast you're running!"

David smiled, sitting in the wicker chair across from me. "She made me play three rounds of tag before we even left our driveway."

"Energy is a good thing," I smiled, kissing Lily's forehead before she bounded off to chase a butterfly in the garden.

David watched her go, his smile softening. He reached into his pocket and placed something on the patio table.

It was my old, scratched music box. Margaret had given it to him to bring home.

"Sterling called this morning," David said, his tone turning gentle. "The transition is complete. The employees are all officially under Heritage. And Dad's bail was denied. He's a flight risk, given the offshore debt."