New beginning: Billionaire love story

Chapter 509 The Aftermath "I know your plan, Gretta," Claire said smoothly, her voice laced with quiet menace.

Gretta's lips parted slightly, but she quickly masked her surprise, setting her glass down with controlled ease. "I don't know what you're talking about."

Claire chuckled softly, stepping closer. "Oh, don't insult my intelligence. I know exactly what you've been up to. You're trying to free Lisa. You want her to do your dirty work while you keep your hands clean."

Gretta's heartbeat quickened, but she forced herself to maintain her composed demeanor. "That's ridiculous," she scoffed. "Lisa is mentally unstable. Everyone knows that."

Claire's smile widened as she shook her head. "Oh, Gretta. Your lies reek from miles away."

The older woman stiffened, her nails digging into her palm.

"You were the one who told Lisa to act crazy," Claire continued. "All so she wouldn't end up in prison for what she did. But Lisa was never insane, was she?"

Gretta said nothing.

Claire took another slow step forward, her piercing gaze never leaving Gretta's face. “You manipulated everyone. You made Lisa put on an act, all so she could escape real punishment. You used her, and now you want to set her loose again. But I won't let that happen."

Gretta clenched her jaw, her breath unsteady. Claire's words struck like daggers, each one cutting deep because they were true.

But she wouldn't let Claire see her crumble.

"You have no proof," Gretta finally said, lifting her chin defiantly. "It's all speculation."

Claire smirked. "Oh, you're so predictable."

She folded her arms, her expression turning ice-cold. "I know you're lying, Gretta. And do you want to know how I know?"

Gretta remained silent.

Claire leaned in slightly, her voice lowering into something far more dangerous.

"Because I've done my homework."

At that moment, Gretta felt the floor beneath her metaphorically crack.

Claire continued, her voice filled with mockery. "You claim you did all of this for justice, but we both know that's a lie." She tilted her head. "Admit it. This isn't about justice. It's about revenge. You think I ruined your life. You think I destroyed your family."

Gretta's hands curled into fists. "You did ruin my family," she spat.

Claire let out a laugh—an amused, delighted sound that sent chills down Gretta's spine.

"Oh, Gretta," Claire mused darkly, her expression turning deadly. "The only person who destroyed a family is you."

Gretta gritted her teeth. "You-"

Claire snapped her fingers.

Almost instantly, several police officers emerged from their hiding spots within the penthouse. They moved swiftly, guns drawn, their expressions unreadable but firm.

Gretta's eyes widened in pure shock.

Her head snapped back to Claire. "What is this?" she demanded, her voice rising in panic.

Claire simply smirked. "A little gift from me," she said mockingly. "For being such a manipulative and cheeky aunt."

Gretta's arm.

raced. This

shrieked, thrashing against their hold. "Let me go! You can't do this to

watched, arms crossed, satisfaction gleaming

her away," Claire ordered

The officers didn't hesitate.

as they dragged her toward the door. "YOU'LL REGRET THIS! YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT YOU'VE JUST

waved lazily. "Goodbye,

air suddenly much quieter without

exhaled, taking a moment to

Another enemy down.

had passed since the investigation concluded, and today marked the final chapter

was filled with whispers as people waited for the trial to begin. She felt the weight of the moment but took comfort in the presence of her

Adrian Saint Laurent sat with his family, his gaze lingering on

to attend,

Just this once.

stretched

prosecution laid out every piece of damning evidence the corruption, the embezzlement, the manipulation, and worst of all, the orchestrated deaths of the Peterson family. Video footage, financial records,

defense tried to fight back, but it

deliberations, the

in prison. Gretta Robertson-25 years. The courtroom

exhaled slowly.

white. By the time he got out-if he

Will he even survive that

She doubted it.

pressure of being locked up would likely break him long before his sentence

prison for at least 25 years. Even if she

toward them, her

the moment the officers moved in to

Robert spat, struggling against the officers. "You think you've won?! You'll pay for

have, you stole from us! You're

Claire only smiled.

could scream and

touch her

dragged them away, their voices

out a long sigh, a weight she hadn't realized she was

over," Matthew murmured

to look at them, the corners of her lips curling into a small

you,"

waist. Instinctively, she leaned into him, feeling the steady rhythm of

QUMS

been quiet throughout most of this

been watching closely.

told him

been disappointed—frustrated that

me," Adrian had said the night she confessed everything. "I could

her head. "I didn't want anything bad to happen

sighed then, running a hand through his hair. He wasn't happy about it, but eventually, he let it

courtroom, he was simply happy

and he met her gaze,