“She Needed the Wedding to Happen Before Anyone Found the Letter”

Alonzo tackled Cedric sideways as Frances pulled a pistol.

The shot hit the church wall.

Mara’s team rushed from the trees.

Frances fired once more.

Then dropped the gun when officers surrounded her.

The ledger fell into the mud.

Cedric picked it up.

Frances stared at him.

“You have no idea what you’re destroying.”

“Yes,” he said. “I finally do.”

The ledger documented twenty years of bribery, illegal surveillance, coercive settlements, and hidden corporate transfers.

Not all of it was Frances.

Some belonged to Henry.

Some to Graham.

Some to Martin.

Some to board members Cedric had trusted his entire life.

The next morning, Cedric called an emergency press conference.

His board begged him not to.

“Give counsel forty-eight hours.”

“Think about the stock.”

“Think about the employees.”

Cedric stood behind the podium.

“I am.”

He released the ledger to federal investigators.

He disclosed the fraudulent marriage proxy.

He admitted Eleanor had helped conceal the truth about Sofia’s death before later trying to expose Project Orchid.

Blackwood shares fell thirty-eight percent in one day. Reporters called it corporate suicide. Analysts said Cedric had destroyed generations of value in a single morning. He watched the numbers fall without looking away. Every percentage point felt expensive, but none of it felt as expensive as another buried death.

Three executives resigned.

Two were arrested.

Graham Vale was indicted for fraud and conspiracy.

Martin Shaw, recovering from the crash, agreed to cooperate.

Frances faced charges tied to Sofia, Eleanor, evidence destruction, and corporate blackmail.

Portia was charged with obstruction for the fire but became a cooperating witness.

After the press conference, Cedric found Alonzo outside.

“You burned the company down,” Alonzo said.

“Not all of it.”

“Enough.”

Cedric nodded.

Alonzo looked at him for a long time.