Chapter 9 - The Settlement and the Ledger
Three weeks later.
The sale of 142 Brookfield Lane had formally recorded with the county clerk.
After deducting real estate commissions, legal fees, and closing costs, the net proceeds of $762,400 were wired directly into my master corporate bank account.
I sat in my lawyer's high-rise office downtown, reviewing the final closing statement. Sitting across from me was my attorney, Sarah Chen.
"The escrow is fully cleared, Ian," Sarah said, sliding a thick blue folder toward me. "Now, regarding the $64,000 in fraudulent charges committed by your parents and sister."
"Did they sign the repayment agreement?" I asked.
Sarah smiled faintly. "Your father's lawyer called yesterday. They realized that if we filed criminal grand larceny charges, Tessa would likely face real prison time due to the paper trail of her luxury online purchases. Your father agreed to sign over his remaining private pension distribution account to surrender the full $64,000 to your business."
"So the ledger is completely balanced," I said.
"Down to the last cent," Sarah confirmed. "They are currently renting a small, two-bedroom garden apartment on the far edge of the county. From what I understand, your sister is working two shifts as a retail cashier to help pay their monthly rent, and your father had to take a job as a night security guard."
I closed the blue folder.
There was no joy in hearing that news. There was no petty gloating in my heart. There was only a quiet, profound sense of relief—the sound of a heavy, toxic iron chain finally falling away from my neck.
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"Thank you, Sarah," I said, standing up and shaking her hand.
"You did the right thing, Ian," Sarah said gently as she walked me to the door. "Boundaries aren't mean. They're just the price of admission to your life. Some people refuse to pay the ticket."
