Daniel was arrested after destroying the remaining documents in panic. Evelyn lost her composure completely as her son was taken away. Marcy and Mr. Pell stood frozen, watching the collapse of everything they thought was untouchable.

Outside the house, Daniel hissed that I would regret everything. I simply looked at him and said I was already gone from the life he thought he controlled. The truth was already in motion, and there was no stopping it now.

Over the next weeks, the investigation expanded. Financial crimes, forged signatures, and stolen assets came to light one after another. Daniel accepted a plea deal, while Evelyn turned on him to save herself.

By the time it ended, the Hawthorne name was no longer powerful—it was a warning-