Six months later, the dust finally settled.

Grant Mercer was convicted of wire fraud, forgery, and conspiracy. Citing the cruel and calculated nature of the medical conservatorship, the judge showed no leniency: twelve years in a federal penitentiary.

Vanessa, desperate to save herself, took a plea and testified against him, and got four. Lucas was granted immunity for his cooperation and walked away, though he never spoke to his sister again.

I took back my company.

I replaced the board that had blindly supported him. I dissolved the shell companies and repatriated the stolen funds. I stripped Grant’s name from the building.

I renamed it Aegis Technologies.