She pushed a pregnant woman down the courthouse stairs in front

The jury deliberation took less than four hours.

When the foreman stood to read the verdict, the tension in the courtroom was thick enough to choke on. Harry held Chloe’s hand tightly, his knuckles white. He had spent his career controlling outcomes, mitigating risks, and manipulating markets. But here, in this room, he was entirely powerless. He had to trust the system.

"On the charge of attempted murder in the first degree, we find the defendant, Beatrice Sterling... guilty."

A collective gasp swept through the gallery. Chloe let out a ragged breath, her eyes fluttering shut as tears of pure, unadulterated relief spilled down her cheeks. Harry pulled her into his side, pressing a kiss to her hair.

"We got her," Harry murmured against her ear. "It's over."

At the defense table, Beatrice completely unraveled. The beige-suited, demure woman vanished, replaced by a shrieking, furious cornered animal.

"This is a sham!" Beatrice screamed, standing up and slamming her hands on the table. She pointed a shaking finger directly at Harry. "You bought this jury! You bought the judge! You couldn't stand that Arthur was going to take your precious Foundation!"

"Order in the court!" the judge barked, slamming his gavel aggressively.

"She's a liar!" Beatrice shrieked, gesturing wildly at Chloe as the bailiffs moved in to restrain her. "She slipped! She's a clumsy, pathetic liar who wanted to ruin us!"

The judge’s face flushed with anger. "Bailiff, remove the defendant from my courtroom immediately."

As Beatrice was dragged backward, her heels scraping against the hardwood floor, she continued to scream obscenities. The King County Courthouse had seen many outbursts, but Beatrice’s complete loss of dignity and control was a spectacle that would make the evening news across the state.

Harry didn't say a word. He didn't gloat, and he didn't smile. He simply watched with cold, hard satisfaction as the heavy wooden doors swung shut, locking Beatrice away from polite society, and more importantly, away from his family.

Walking down the courthouse steps into the bright Seattle afternoon, the air tasted sweeter than it had in months. The press swarmed them, microphones thrust forward, shouting questions about the verdict and the future of the Sterling empire.

Harry stopped at the bottom of the steps, wrapping an arm protectively around Chloe’s shoulders. He raised a single hand, and the reporters immediately quieted down.

"Justice was served today," Harry said clearly, his voice carrying over the snapping of camera shutters. "My wife is the bravest woman I know, and today, the truth prevailed. The Sterling Foundation is moving forward under new leadership, and my focus is solely on my wife and our daughter. We ask for privacy as we close this dark chapter and move on with our lives."

He didn't wait for follow-up questions. He guided Chloe to the waiting black SUV, opened the door for her, and climbed in beside her. As the car pulled away from the curb, leaving the circus behind, Chloe rested her head on his shoulder.