Isabelle's fingers curled around the USB drive in her pocket—the one containing evidence even her father hadn't seen yet. "Let them try."
Avery swung his wrench at a rotten beam when Isabelle appeared in the doorway.
"Abel Development needs a head engineer," she said.
He wiped sweat from his brow. "You joking?"
She tossed him a business card. "Scholarship included."
The card read: FINN LAWSON COMMUNITY CENTER - ARCHITECT: AVERY LAWSON
The ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Finn Lawson Community Center was meant to be a ceasefire.
But as Isabelle raised the silver scissors, Eleanor Abel's voice cut through the crowd:
"Arrest her."
State investigators moved forward—not toward Isabelle, but toward Robert, handcuffing him for conspiracy. Robert's eyes locked with Isabelle's, not in betrayal, but grim satisfaction. "Now you see her," his stare said.
Avery's crane collapsed at the harbor project that afternoon.
No deaths—by miracle—but six injured. News channels replayed footage of twisted steel. Eleanor's face appeared on screens: "A Lawson's incompetence proves blood can't be bought."
Avery stared at the wreckage, Finn's wrench dangling from his belt. "She sabotaged the hydraulics," he rasped. "I checked them."
Isabelle gripped his shaking hands. "Then we show the world how a Lawson rebuilds."
Isabelle walked into Abel Development's boardroom alone.
Eleanor smiled from the head chair. "Out of moves, darling?"
"One left." Isabelle slid a USB drive across the table. Footage played: Eleanor bribing a mechanic to cut the crane's lines. Then—the hotel video with Mayor Donovan, with audio:
"Make the Lawson boy's death look like an accident, and the harbor contract is yours."
The room froze. Eleanor's champagne flute shattered.
The room erupted. Cameras flashed as Eleanor screamed: "Forgeries!"
Isabelle's voice cut through chaos: "The FBI authenticated them 3 hours ago."
THE NEW ORDER
Shareholder Vote Results:
Isabelle Abel (50%): CEO
Avery Lawson (10%): Head of Engineering
The remaining 40% was to the remaining faithful shareholders including Robert.
Robert stood before the board, cuffs removed but shame weighing heavier. "My failures nearly destroyed this company. I'll spend my tenure ensuring they're never repeated."
Six months later. The Lawson house stood restored, flowers blooming where Finn died. Finn's Community Center opened with Dale cutting the ribbon.
Avery graduated with his engineering degree, overseeing the harbor project.
Robert started visiting the orchard daily, helping Martha prune apple trees. One evening, he brought her wildflowers.
"Never thought I'd see Robert Abel kneeling in dirt," Martha teased.
"Never thought I'd enjoy it," he admitted, smiling for the first time in years.
Robert handed Martha a basket of apples at the farmers' market.
"Still hate rich men?" he asked.
"Just the ones who don't prune properly," she winked.
Nearby, Isabelle laced her fingers with Avery's as their new crane lifted a beam etched with two names:
LAWSON & ABEL
Isabelle and Avery stood at the new docks, watching ships arrive.
"You kept the wrench," she said, touching the "T.L." initials on his belt.
"Reminds me what matters," he replied, kissing her as the sun set.