Chapter 13 - THE PLEAS
Sloan accepted a plea first.
The threat with the crowbar and financial misrepresentation were serious.
She received:
a custodial component,
probation,
restitution,
financial monitoring,
and treatment requirements.
Not life destruction.
Not nothing.
Her private lender recovered part of the loss through liquidation of assets.
Corrine fought longer.
She insisted family property management should not be criminalized.
Her attorney made valid distinctions about ownership.
The prosecution narrowed the case.
The strongest charges remained:
assault,
coercion,
evidence interference,
and specific false financial documents.
Corrine eventually accepted a negotiated resolution.
Custodial consequences.
Probation.
No-contact restrictions.
Financial penalties.
Then came the family estate administration.
No secret new inheritance.
No punishment clause.
Harold’s existing plan remained.
Corrine retained what she was legally entitled to.
Sloan retained what she was legally entitled to after debts and restitution.
Thane did not rewrite everything to punish them.
Alora supported that.
“Otherwise the inventory becomes another weapon.”
Then the authenticated collection was divided according to actual ownership and estate documents.
Several pieces were sold openly.
Not secretly.
Proceeds allocated transparently.
Others retained.
One bracelet went to a museum on long-term loan because Harold had documented its provenance thoroughly enough for exhibition.
Alora liked that.
An object leaving the family without becoming betrayal.
Then Thane asked what she wanted from the collection.
“Nothing.”
Harold’s memorandum allowed her one caretaker’s honorarium.
She accepted the documented fee.
No jewelry.
No heirloom.
No symbolic reward.
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That irritated Corrine more than greed would have.
Alora could not be accused of doing it for the jewels.
