Chapter 7 - The New Executor
The transition of the Sterling empire took months.
As the executor of my children's trust, I was suddenly thrust into boardrooms with men who used to look down on me.
But I wasn't the scared, naive girl from ten years ago.
I ran the meetings with military efficiency.
I fired the board members who had enabled Victoria.
I restructured the company's charitable wing to support veterans and single mothers.
Julian sat in those meetings, watching me with a mixture of awe and regret.
He realized the woman he threw away had become a titan without him.
Victoria’s trial was swift and brutal.
With Arthur’s evidence and Julian’s testimony, she was sentenced to seven years in federal prison.
The day she was sentenced, the local newspapers finally printed the truth.
The Sterling Scapegoat Vindicated: Genevieve Vance Returns.
I didn't care about the headlines.
I only cared that my children knew their mother's name was completely cleared.
As for Julian, he showed up every Sunday.
At first, it was awkward. Ethan refused to speak to him. Rose hid behind the couch.
But Julian kept coming.
He sat on the floor. He played Monopoly. He let Emma put plastic hair clips in his hair.
He took the anger, the cold shoulders, and the difficult questions.
When Noah asked, "Why did you hate our mom?" Julian didn't make excuses.
"Because I was a fool," Julian answered honestly, looking down at his hands. "I listened to bad people instead of trusting the best person I ever knew. And it is my biggest regret."
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That honesty started to build a bridge.
Slowly, carefully, a foundation of trust began to form.
