Nathan had trusted his wife for years. That trust died the moment he saw the golf club hit the floor.

While peace had returned to Nathan’s life, the final embers of the Montgomery scandal were meeting their swift, inevitable end in a federal courthouse in downtown San Francisco.

Harrison Montgomery sat at the defense table, looking twenty years older than his sixty-five years. His once-immaculate suits hung loosely on his frail frame, and his arrogance had been crushed by months of unrelenting legal battles.

Beside him sat his defense team, looking utterly defeated as the lead federal prosecutor laid out the final evidence in the multi-million-dollar fraud trial.

Nathan sat in the back row of the gallery, dressed in a sharp black suit. He hadn't come out of malice or revenge; he had come to bear witness to the final closing of a chapter that had almost destroyed his child's life.

"Ladies and gentlemen of the jury," the prosecutor spoke, standing before the twelve citizens. "Harrison Montgomery built a empire not on vision or hard work, but on systemic corruption, financial extortion, and the utter destruction of anyone who stood in his path. When his own daughter committed a horrific crime against an innocent child, this man used his corporate power to try and crush the truth."

The prosecutor turned, pointing a finger directly at Harrison.

"He believed his wealth placed him above the law. Today, you have the power to remind him that no one—no matter how many millions they possess—is above justice."

The jury deliberated for less than three hours.

When they returned, the foreman stood tall, reading the verdict into the record.

"On count one, wire fraud: Guilty. On count two, federal tax evasion: Guilty. On count three, racketeering and obstruction of justice: Guilty."

Bang.

The judge’s gavel struck the wooden block.

"Harrison Montgomery, you are sentenced to fifteen years in a federal correctional facility," the judge declared coldly. "Your corporate assets and private holdings are hereby forfeited to the state to fulfill restitution orders."

As the federal marshals escorted Harrison away in chains, the old man turned his head, his eyes meeting Nathan’s in the gallery. For the first time in his life, Harrison Montgomery looked small, powerless, and utterly alone.

Nathan stood up, buttoned his suit jacket, and walked out of the courtroom into the bright afternoon sunlight.

He pulled his phone from his pocket and dialed a familiar number.

"Hey, Daddy!" Lily’s bright, joyful voice chimed through the speaker. "Are you coming home soon? Elena and I are making homemade pizza!"