Chapter 17 - Full RestitutionBy the autumn of that year, the court-mandated financial recovery process was officially concluded under the supervision of Julian Ross.
The court seized the assets contained within Bernice’s illicit Nevada shell entity, B.S. Management LLC. The luxury condo in Sacramento that she had secretly attempted to buy was put up for court-ordered public auction, along with her private bank accounts.
Julian visited our apartment on a bright Tuesday morning, carrying a formal financial settlement document certified by the Superior Court of California.
"Every single dollar has been accounted for," Julian announced, sliding a cashier's check across the table toward Savannah.
The check was made out for $142,500—covering the full $115,000 Bernice had siphoned from our accounts, plus accrued interest, legal fees, and civil damages.
"What about her remaining personal property in Sacramento?" I asked.
"Liquidated to cover court costs and medical restitution fees," Julian confirmed smoothly. "Bernice Sterling currently has a personal net worth of zero dollars. When she is eventually released in seven years, she will leave prison with nothing more than the clothes on her back."
Savannah looked at the check sitting on the wooden table, then looked over at the living room, where tiny seven-month-old Maya was happily playing on a colorful padded mat near the sunlit window.
"I don't want this money in our personal accounts," Savannah said softly.
May you like
I looked at her in surprise. "What do you want to do with it, sweetheart?"
Savannah picked up the check, her eyes turning bright and resolute. "My father left me a legacy of strength and protection. I want to use this money to protect women who don't have the resources or the evidence I had."
