"I know your n, Gretta," ire said smoothly, her voiceced with quiet menace.


    Gretta''s lips parted slightly, but she quickly masked her surprise, setting her ss down with controlled ease. "I don''t know what you''re talking about."


    ire chuckled softly, stepping closer. "Oh, don''t insult my intelligence. I know exactly what you''ve been up to. You''re trying to free Lisa. You want her to do your dirty work while you keep your hands clean."


    Gretta''s heartbeat quickened, but she forced herself to maintain herposed demeanor. "That''s ridiculous," she scoffed. "Lisa is mentally unstable. Everyone knows that."


    ire''s smile widened as she shook her head. "Oh, Gretta. Your lies reek from miles away."


    The older woman stiffened, her nails digging into her palm.


    "You were the one who told Lisa to act crazy," ire continued. "All so she wouldn''t end up in prison for what she did. But Lisa was never insane, was she?"


    Gretta said nothing.


    ire took another slow step forward, her piercing gaze never leaving Gretta''s face. “You manipted everyone. You made Lisa put on an act, all so she could escape real punishment. You used her, and now you want to set her loose again. But I won''t let that happen."


    Gretta clenched her jaw, her breath unsteady. ire''s words struck like daggers, each one cutting deep because they were true.


    But she wouldn''t let ire see her crumble.


    "You have no proof," Gretta finally said, lifting her chin defiantly. "It''s all spection."


    ire smirked. "Oh, you''re so predictable."


    She folded her arms, her expression turning ice-cold. "I know you''re lying, Gretta. And do you want to know how I know?"


    Gretta remained silent.


    ire leaned in slightly, her voice lowering into something far more dangerous.


    "Because I''ve done my homework."


    At that moment, Gretta felt the floor beneath her metaphorically crack.


    ire continued, her voice filled with mockery. "You im you did all of this for justice, but we both know that''s a lie." She tilted her head. "Admit it. This isn''t about justice. It''s about revenge. You think I ruined your life. You think I destroyed your family."


    Gretta''s hands curled into fists. "You did ruin my family," she spat.


    ire let out augh—an amused, delighted sound that sent chills down Gretta''s spine.


    "Oh, Gretta," ire mused darkly, her expression turning deadly. "The only person who destroyed a family is you."


    Gretta gritted her teeth. "You-"


    ire snapped her fingers.


    Almost instantly, several police officers emerged from their hiding spots within the penthouse. They moved swiftly, guns drawn, their expressions unreadable but firm.


    Gretta''s eyes widened in pure shock.


    Her head snapped back to ire. "What is this?" she demanded, her voice rising in panic.


    ire simply smirked. "A little gift from me," she said mockingly. "For being such a maniptive and cheeky aunt."


    The lead officer stepped forward, gripping Gretta''s arm. "Gretta Robertson, you are under arrest."


    Gretta''s mind raced. This wasn''t happening.


    "No!" she shrieked, thrashing against their hold. "Let me go! You can''t do this to me!"


    ire merely watched, arms crossed, satisfaction gleaming in her eyes.


    "Take her away," ire ordered smoothly.


    The officers didn''t hesitate.


    "CLAIRE!" Gretta bellowed as they dragged her toward the door. "YOU''LL REGRET THIS! YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT YOU''VE JUST DONE!"


    ire simply wavedzily. "Goodbye, Gretta."


    The penthouse doors swung shut behind them, the air suddenly much quieter without Gretta''s wails echoing off the walls.


    ire exhaled, taking a moment to enjoy the silence.


    Another enemy down.


    A month had passed since the investigation concluded, and today marked the final chapter in the long, grueling battle against Robert and Gretta.


    ire sat in the courtroom, her posture poised yet rxed, her expression unreadable. The grand room was filled with whispers as people waited for the trial to begin. She felt the weight of the moment but tookfort in the presence of her closest allies.


    Matthew sat beside her, his usual calm demeanor unwavering. Alexander and Christian upied the row behind them, both men watching the proceedings with unreadable expressions. Across the room, Adrian Saint Laurent sat with his family, his gaze lingering on ire, as if silently reassuring her that he was there. Beside him, Talia gave ire a small, encouraging nod.


    ire appreciated their presence. She hadn''t expected Alexander to attend, but for once, she let it slide.


    Just this once.


    The trial stretched on for hours.


    The prosecutionid out every piece of damning evidence the corruption, the embezzlement, the maniption, and worst of all, the orchestrated deaths of the Peterson family. Video footage, financial records, and witness testimonies painted an airtight case. ire watched as Robert and Gretta squirmed in their seats, their once-confident expressions gradually shifting to fear.


    The defense tried to fight back, but it was futile.


    Eventually, after long deliberations, the judge announced the verdict.


    Robert Peterson-40 years in prison. Gretta Robertson-25 years. The courtroom fell into a heavy silence.


    ire exhaled slowly. It''s over.


    She watched as Robert clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white. By the time he got out-if he even made it-he would be well into his eighties. The thought made ire smirk


    slightly. Will he even survive that long?


    She doubted it.


    Given his arrogant nature, the pressure of being locked up would likely break him long before his sentence ended.


    Gretta, on the other hand, would be in prison for at least 25 years. Even if she behaved well, parole wouldn''t be an option for over a decade.


    ire turned her gaze toward them, her expression devoid of sympathy.


    As expected, the moment the officers moved in to take them away, both Robert and Gretta erupted.


    "You bitch!" Robert spat, struggling against the officers. "You think you''ve won?! You''ll pay for this!"


    Gretta screamed in rage. "Everything you have, you stole from us! You''re going to regret this, ire!"


    ire only smiled.


    They could scream and curse all they wanted.


    They couldn''t touch her anymore.


    As the officers dragged them away, their voices faded into the distance.


    ire let out a long sigh, a weight she hadn''t realized she was carrying finally lifting off her shoulders.


    "It''s over," Matthew murmured beside her.


    ire turned to look at them, the corners of her lips curling into a small but


    genuine smile. "Thank you," she said softly.


    She felt Adrian''s warmth beside her as he wrapped an arm around her waist. Instinctively, she leaned into him, feeling the steady rhythm of his breathing. It wasforting


    Adrian had been quiet throughout most of this ordeal, but ire knew he had


    been watching closely.


    She had told him everything.


    At first, he had been disappointed—frustrated that she hadn''t involved him in the investigation.


    "You should have told me," Adrian had said the night she confessed everything. "I could have helped you, ire."


    ire had shaken her head. "I didn''t want anything bad to happen to you. This wasn''t your battle to fight."


    Adrian had sighed then, running a hand through his hair. He wasn''t happy about it, but eventually, he let it go.


    And now, standing beside her in the courtroom, he was simply happy to see her free from enemies.


    ire nced at him, and he met her gaze, squeezing her waist slightly. No words were needed.


    She knew what he was thinking.


    They had finally reached the end of the storm.


    As they exited the courthouse, the sun was beginning to set, painting the sky in hues of gold and crimson. ire took a deep breath, inhaling the crisp evening air.


    "Well," Talia said, walking up beside her, "that was eventful."


    ire chuckled. "Understatement of the year."


    Matthew smirked slightly. "Now that all of this is behind us, what''s next for you?"


    ire paused for a moment, looking up at the sky.


    She hadn''t thought that far ahead.


    For so long, her life had been consumed by battles-fighting to take back


    Metacortex, exposing corruption, dealing with the threats that constantly surrounded her.


    But now...


    Now she was free.


    A slow smile spread across her lips. "I think I''ll figure it out as I go."


    Matthew chuckled. "That''s very you."


    Christian, who had been mostly silent throughout the trial, spoke up. "If you ever


    need anything, you know where to find me."


    ire turned to him, raising a brow. "Even if I call in the middle of the night?"


    Christian smirked. "Even then."


    She rolled her eyes but appreciated the sentiment.


    Alexander, who had been standing off to the side, finally stepped forward. "For what it''s worth," he said quietly, "you handled this well."


    ire studied him for a moment before giving a small nod. "For once, I''ll take that


    as apliment."


    Alexander sighed but let the jab slide. "Just try not to get yourself into another mess anytime soon."


    "No promises," ire said with a smirk.


    He exhaled heavily, shaking his head. "Of course not."


    As the group walked down the courthouse steps, Adrian leaned in, pressing a kiss


    to ire''s temple.


    "You did it," he murmured against her hair.


    ire smiled, feeling warmth spread through her chest.


    "Yeah," she whispered. "I did."


    And for the first time in a long time—


    ire Peterson felt at peace.