Chapter 9 - Retribution and Final Judgment
Arthur Vance stepped forward and placed the final settlement agreement on the table.
"Here are the terms of the final divorce and civil resolution," Arthur stated clearly.
"First, Mr. Brooks will sign over all claims to marital property, assets, and intellectual property associated with Mitchell Technologies. Second, in exchange for Mitchell Tech declining to press criminal charges for corporate embezzlement, Mr. Brooks will agree to a structured financial restitution plan, wage garnishment, and a complete relinquishment of unsupervised parental rights until court standards are met."
"Third," Arthur continued, turning to Diane, "a permanent restraining order will be issued prohibiting both Evan Brooks and Diane Brooks from coming within 500 feet of Mrs. Mitchell or her children, or contacting them through any media."
Evan took a trembling pen from his pocket. He didn't argue. He had no leverage, no money, and no defense left. He signed his name on every marked line, his hand shaking so violently that his signature was barely legible.
When he finished, he pushed the papers across the table and looked up at me with hollow, red-rimmed eyes.
"Are you happy now, Claire?" he asked, his voice cracking. "You destroyed everything."
I picked up the signed documents, checked every signature carefully, and met his gaze with absolute calmness.
May you like
"I didn't destroy anything, Evan," I said gently. "I simply stopped building a world for people who were constantly trying to destroy me. You burned down your own house. I just let it burn."
Without another word, I turned and walked out of the room, leaving Evan and his mother sitting in the silence of their own consequences.
