Chapter 4: By Sunrise, Only One of Us Was Free
News helicopters circled the courthouse before sunrise.
The arrest of billionaire CEO Ethan Moretti dominated every television network.
He walked into court wearing the same tailored suit he had planned to wear to my funeral.
Only now his wrists were locked in handcuffs.
Victoria had already accepted immunity.
She surrendered the forged financial records, the hidden offshore accounts, and every message proving they had planned my death together.
The company's board voted unanimously to remove Ethan as CEO before the trial even began.
His bank accounts were frozen.
His assets were seized.
His reputation collapsed in less than twenty-four hours.
When the jury returned after only three hours of deliberation, the courtroom fell silent.
"Guilty."
Attempted murder.
Conspiracy to commit murder.
Corporate fraud.
Insurance fraud.
Evidence tampering.
The judge sentenced Ethan to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
As deputies led him away, he finally looked at me.
For the first time, the confidence was gone.
"You ruined everything," he said quietly.
I met his eyes without anger.
"No."
"You locked yourself inside your own trap."
Months later, I stood on the balcony of Moretti Biotech's headquarters as the company's new Chairwoman.
The employees applauded below.
The company survived.
The truth survived.
And so did I.
Ethan had believed only one of us would walk away free by sunrise.
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He was right.
It just wasn't him.
