She hung up.
And walked away.
She never spoke to him again.
Caroline's trial began eight months later.
By then, prosecutors had built a case far larger than Sophie's assault.
Fraud.
Conspiracy.
Extortion.
Witness intimidation.
Kidnapping.
Financial crimes.
Obstruction.
And eventually, charges connected to two suspicious deaths.
Martin Vale testified against his own sister.
So did Jake.
So did Melissa.
And Laura.
Caroline sat through most of the trial with the same expression she had worn at Sophie's wedding.
Calm.
Superior.
Certain there was always another move.
Then prosecutors played the warehouse recording.
“Melissa should have signed the first time.”
Caroline's face finally changed.
The jury convicted her on nearly every count.
Jake accepted a plea agreement and received a lengthy sentence.
Laura did too.
Martin entered federal protection after cooperating against several remaining members of the old network.
Sophie's marriage was annulled.
Not divorced.
Annulled.
Legally, it was treated as what it had truly been.
