Chapter 9 - The View from Gold Coast
Six months later.
Autumn had arrived in Chicago, turning the trees along Michigan Avenue into shades of deep gold and amber.
On a cool, sunny afternoon, Evelyn stood on the wide stone balcony of her newly completed estate in Winnetka, looking out over the blue waters of Lake Michigan.
The estate had belonged to her grandfather—a grand, thirty-room limestone mansion surrounded by ancient oaks and private boat docks that stretched out into the deep water.
Her satellite phone rang softly on the glass outdoor table.
She picked it up. “Yes, Gabriel?”
“The final audit of Dominic’s remaining accounts was completed this morning,” Gabriel’s voice came through the clear line. “He paid his defense attorney, settled his back taxes, and moved into a rented townhouse near Rockford. He’s working as an independent logistics consultant for a small trucking firm.”
Evelyn took a slow sip of her warm tea, looking at the distant horizon where three large container ships carrying the Cross Maritime emblem were moving smoothly toward the newly opened South Terminal.
“Does he still call his old contacts?” she asked softly.
“Nobody takes his calls, Evie,” Gabriel replied calmly. “Vanessa Quinn received two years of probation and left for California. Dominic is completely isolated.”
Evelyn stayed silent for a moment, remembering the man who had stood in the master bedroom of the penthouse at 7:12 PM on a Saturday night, telling her she wasn't the kind of person who belonged in his world.
She felt no hatred for him. She felt no desire for further revenge.
He was simply a man who had misunderstood the nature of real power, and he was now living the small, quiet life he had mistakenly assumed was hers.
“Thank you, Gabriel,” Evelyn said.
“For what?”
“For letting me fight my own battle.”
Gabriel let out a short, warm laugh. “You didn't fight a battle, Evie. You took back what was always yours. Are you coming to the harbor opening tonight?”
Evelyn smiled, adjusting the collar of her cream cashmere sweater.
“I’ll be there at eight o'clock,” she said. “And Gabriel?”
May you like
“Yes?”
“Tell the team I’ll be wearing the emeralds.”
