Chapter 9 - Closing the ChapterTwo days later, the moving vans were parked in the grand gravel driveway of the Carter estate.
Workmen loaded heavy oak furniture, boxes of corporate files, and decades of family history into the back of the transport trucks. I stood on the front steps, watching the estate recede into the distance as I zipped up my leather jacket.
A sleek black sedan pulled up to the security gate. My lead attorney stepped out, walking briskly up the steps to hand me a final manila folder.
"Arthur, the final asset liquidation papers for Carter Holdings have cleared," my attorney said, wiping sweat from his brow. "The trust has been entirely dissolved, and the remaining funds have been transferred to your new personal account. Julian’s assets were seized by the federal receivership this morning. It’s officially over."
"Thank you, David," I said, taking the folder and sliding it into my briefcase without even opening it. "I won't be needing your services anymore. I'm officially retiring."
"Enjoy the coast, Arthur," the attorney smiled warmly, shaking my hand. "You and your boy earned it."
I turned around and walked back down the steps toward the waiting car where Leo sat in the passenger seat, holding a brand-new plush golden retriever puppy in his lap, laughing as the dog licked his chin.
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I opened the driver's side door, slipped behind the steering wheel, and took one final look at the towering brick facade of the estate where I had lost everything—and miraculously found everything back.
I put the car in drive, pressed my foot gently on the gas pedal, and drove down the winding gravel driveway without looking back once.
