Chapter 6 - Shadows from the PastTwo weeks after the gala, while reviewing initial grant applications in my new office on the second floor of the center, my executive assistant—a sharp, kind-hearted woman named Chloe—knocked gently on my door.
“Sophia, you have a visitor downstairs,” Chloe said, her brow furrowing slightly with hesitation. “He doesn't have an appointment, and he’s... well, he’s persistent.”
“Who is it, Chloe?”
“It’s Victoria’s former attorney, Marcus Vance’s defense co-counsel—attorney Julian Sterling. He says he has information regarding the final asset liquidation that directly concerns you.”
I leaned back in my executive leather chair, a calm, curious smile touching my lips. Julian Sterling had been one of the high-priced corporate sharks who sat across from me in court on that fateful morning, sneering at my simple clothes and acting as though my defeat was inevitable.
“Send him up, Chloe,” I said smoothly. “Let’s see what the rats have to say now that the ship has completely sunk.”
A minute later, Julian stepped into the office. He looked distinctly less arrogant than he had six months ago. His expensive tailored suit was rumpled, his hair was graying at the temples, and he carried a single, manila folder like a shield.
“Ms. Vance,” Julian said, offering a stiff, professional nod. “Thank you for seeing me.”
“You have five minutes, Mr. Sterling,” I said, not bothering to invite him to sit down. “My schedule is exceptionally busy, and unlike your former clients, my time actually has constructive value.”
Julian flushed slightly, swallowing his pride as he placed the manila folder on my desk.
“I’m here on behalf of a third party,” Julian said quietly. “Specifically... Victoria Whitmore.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Victoria? I thought she was currently serving a federal sentence at Alderson minimum security facility in West Virginia.”
“She is,” Julian replied. “Her initial appeal was denied, and Richard was sentenced to eighteen years at Otisville last month. They’ve lost everything. Their properties are liquidated, their accounts are seized, and Victoria... well, Victoria’s health has deteriorated significantly behind bars.”
“And you’re telling me this because...?” I asked, my voice devoid of any warmth.
“Because she asked me to deliver this message,” Julian said, sliding the folder forward. “She wanted you to know that she understands, now, what it feels like to have everything taken away without warning. She asked me to ask you... if there is any way the foundation could allocate a small stipend for her commissary or legal defense fund.”
I stared at the manila folder for a long moment.
Then, I picked it up, closed it neatly, and pushed it back across the desk toward him.
“Tell Victoria,” I said, my voice dropping into a quiet, absolute register, “that when she stood outside my apartment door screaming for me to be ruined, she had a crowbar in her hand and malice in her heart. Tell her that every luxury she enjoyed for five years was paid for by the suffering of people she looked down upon.”
Julian swallowed hard, opening his mouth to speak.
May you like
“And tell her this,” I finished, standing up from my desk and walking over to look out the window at the autumn gardens below. “Karma isn't a theory, Mr. Sterling. It’s an exact science. She taught me how to survive in a world of predators. Now, she gets to live in the reality she created.”
Julian nodded slowly, picked up the folder, turned around, and walked out of the office without another word.
