“We have a lot of work to do to restore our reputation,” I continued. “But we will do it together, with the same standards of excellence my father established here forty years ago.”

“We are ready, Ms. Aurelia,” Richard said.

I nodded to them, and they dispersed back to their stations, their steps lighter than they had been in months.

Julian walked over to me, holding a glass of sparkling water.

“You did it, Evelyn,” he said softly.

“We did it, Julian,” I corrected him, taking the glass. “Without you, I would still be trapped in that house on Long Island.”

“You were never trapped,” Julian said with a faint smile. “You were just waiting for the right moment to strike.”

Priya came up beside us, her tablet finally dark.

“The press release has been picked up by the financial wire,” Priya said. “The market is reacting well to the news of your return. The stock is already stabilizing in after-hours trading.”

“And Bennett?” I asked.

“The reporters are waiting outside his lawyer’s office,” Priya said. “He won’t be able to hide from the fallout.”