Chapter 4 - The Aftermath
The trial of the century saw the corrupt board members sentenced to decades in prison.
Pierce Meridian Group emerged cleaner than it had been in thirty years.
Grayson Pierce held a press conference, finally acknowledging the company’s dark past and its new, transparent future.
He credited Nora Bellamy with saving the company.
Nora, however, stayed out of the spotlight.
She sat in her office, looking out at the Seattle skyline, the same skyline she had crawled through the mud to reach.
Grayson walked in, his suit looking tired.
"You're leaving, aren't you?" he asked.
"My work here is done," she replied.
"The truth is out, the corrupt are gone, and you're no longer in danger."
Grayson sighed.
"You could run this company, Nora."
"I don't want a company," she said. "I want peace."
She packed her bag, the same soaked folder from months ago tucked safely inside.
"Where will you go?"
"Somewhere where the mud doesn't hide secrets," she said.
She walked out of the building, her heels clicking on the floor—firm, steady, and unbroken.
As she stepped into the lobby, the new receptionist smiled.
"Good morning, Ms. Bellamy."
Nora smiled back.
"Good morning."
She stepped onto the street, the sun shining down on her.
May you like
She had arrived in mud, but she was leaving in light.
She had survived, she had protected, and finally, she was free.
