Chapter 13 - THE PRICE OF THE LIFE HE CHOSE
Jasmine's investigation ended nearly a year after it began.
The findings established that she had used misleading consulting invoices to obtain payments for work that was not properly performed or documented.
The financial inquiry also uncovered improper disclosures of confidential acquisition information.
Jasmine entered into a negotiated legal resolution concerning the financial misconduct, including restitution and other consequences.
Garrett and the relevant companies faced separate proceedings arising from their conduct.
Aaron wasn't charged with everything Jasmine had done.
But that didn't mean he escaped responsibility for his own decisions.
He had approved the related-party consulting arrangement.
He had ignored internal warnings.
He had failed to disclose his conflict of interest.
And he had represented that I was willing to provide property as collateral without obtaining my authorization.
His executive conduct became the subject of governance findings and civil claims.
The board ultimately decided not to reinstate him as CEO.
Olivia was appointed permanently after demonstrating that she could stabilize the company's operations and restore confidence in its financial controls.
Vivian resigned from her positions in the company-affiliated charitable programs.
An independent review established the amounts that needed to be returned to the scholarship initiative.
The board approved a restoration plan.
Students whose opportunities had been delayed were offered assistance in the following application cycle.
That mattered more to me than seeing Jasmine's photograph disappear from the company's website.
Hundreds of people depended on Prescott Global.
They deserved a company that operated according to reliable rules rather than the personal preferences of its chief executive.
Meanwhile, the divorce negotiations reached their final stage.
Aaron and I agreed on the division of our marital assets after independent valuation and legal review.
The settlement respected our separate property arrangements and addressed our remaining joint financial obligations.
The Marblehead house remained mine.
The Harborstone investment remained separately held.
Aaron retained his independently owned property and whatever interests remained after the corporate proceedings.
Neither of us received everything we wanted.
But the agreement was fair enough for both sides to end the dispute.
Then the court entered the divorce decree.
I received the notification while sitting at my grandfather's old desk.
For a moment, I simply stared at the screen.
Three years of marriage.
Months of disappointment.
One public Slack message.
A dozen financial revelations.
And now it was finished.
Mom entered the room carrying a cup of coffee.
“Claire?”
I looked up.
“It's final.”
She set down the cup.
Then she hugged me.
I had expected to feel triumphant.
Instead, I cried.
Not because I wanted Aaron back.
Because I was grieving the woman I had been when I married him.
The woman who believed that if she loved someone enough, he would eventually notice.
Mom held me until the tears stopped.
Then she asked:
“What are you going to do now?”
I looked toward the harbor.
For the first time in years, the question felt exciting rather than frightening.
“Whatever I choose.”
Three days later, Aaron sent one final message.
I signed everything. I know I don't deserve another chance, and I'm not asking for one. I'm sorry I made you feel invisible.
I read it once.
Then I put my phone away.
His apology mattered.
But my future no longer depended on it.
That evening, Harriet called with news.
Harborstone's investment committee had approved the initial funding for the workforce-housing initiative I proposed.
The first project would be in Massachusetts.
May you like
Near the coast.
And the site they wanted me to evaluate was less than twenty minutes from my grandfather's old house.
