Chapter 14 - Justice at Vale HouseMonths passed, and the heavy, suffocating cloud that had hung over Vale House for years evaporated entirely. The staff hired to replace the old guard were thoroughly vetted, treated with dignity, and paid generously—transforming the estate from a cold fortress into a warm, functioning home.
Ethan’s physical therapy regimen, previously neglected out of bitter resignation, became a daily priority. With Maggie gently encouraging him, he spent hours working with specialists in the courtyard gymnasium, regaining upper body strength and proving to himself that his physical limitations did not define his capability or his future.
Julian Vance and Cynthia accepted plea deals carrying lengthy federal prison sentences without the possibility of early parole, while Diane Mercer’s secondary assets were seized to pay back restitution to the estate. The wolves had been driven far from the door.
