Chapter 20 - The Criminal IndictmentThree weeks after the injunction was granted, the state prosecutor's office officially stepped in. A grand jury returned a multi-count indictment against Kevin Sterling, charging him with grand larceny, forgery in the first degree, and corporate bank fraud.
The news hit the local papers by mid-afternoon. Kevin was arrested at his office in the city, handcuffed and led away in front of his remaining staff.
Megan called Claire in hysterics. "Mom, they arrested him! He’s in county jail! His lawyer says bail is set at five hundred thousand dollars!"
Claire sat on the porch of her rented apartment, looking out at the rain falling on the pavement. "I know, Megan."
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"Are... are you going to post it?" Megan begged, her voice cracking. "If we use the savings account—"
"No, Megan," Claire said firmly, her tone leaving no room for negotiation. "I am not risking another dollar to bail Kevin out of consequences he created for himself. It’s time for everyone to face the truth."
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Chapter 21 - The Bank’s Counter-MoveDeprived of their quick foreclosure, Pinnacle Asset Management adopted a new tactic. Their legal team filed a civil suit directly against Claire, claiming she was negligent in supervising her marital assets and had implicitly allowed Kevin to manage her property.
Chapter 22 - Uncovering the NotaryThe turning point in the civil case came from an unexpected source. While reviewing the notarized power of attorney document, Arthur noticed a small, smudged detail on the notary stamp: the commission registration number belonged to a notary based in a town two hours away—a town where Kevin’s administrative assistant lived.
Chapter 23 - The Evidentiary HearingThe court hearing was standing-room only. Representatives from Pinnacle, local reporters, and a pale, handcuffed Kevin Sterling in an orange jumpsuit attended the proceeding.
Chapter 24 - The FractureDespite the legal victory, the human damage remained. Megan struggled to process the reality of her father's criminal conviction and her mother's refusal to shield him from the law.
Chapter 25 - Restoring the CedarTwo weeks after the title was officially restored, Claire, Arthur, and a team of local contractors arrived at the lake house to begin repairs. Months of neglect and damp weather had taken a toll on the cedar siding, and the green front door was scuffed and weathered.
Chapter 26 - A Plea DealFrom his cell at the county jail, Kevin finally faced the inevitability of his situation. With the notary’s confession and the financial audit complete, his defense attorney advised him that a trial would result in a maximum sentence of twelve years.
