In the following days, Caleb's Renovations company collapsed like an avalanche—faster than anyone could have imagined.
A company once valued at nearly a billion dollars became worthless in just a few days. Several of the commercial leases they held even turned into negative assets—liabilities nobody wanted.
In the past, whenever they were in trouble, there would always be people willing to protect it.City officials would help mediate—after all, the company provided jobs, and Caleb had done a bit of charity for public relations.
But now?
There was no one left to protect them.Only people kicking them while they were down.The scraps of charity the Cai family had done couldn't offset the mountains of resentment they had created.
Caleb had already been arrested, detained without eligibility for bail due to the severity of the charges.
Cai could only watch as his father was taken away and the company collapsed.
Unable to withstand the pressure, Cai rushed to the hospital, fell to his knees, and clung to Jason Carter's pant leg.
"Jason, I'm sorry—I'm truly sorry! My apology before wasn't sincere enough. I know I was wrong now. Please—please be merciful and spare my father… spare me. Julia, can you please help me plead with him? I swear, I only told those people to make a small scene! I never intended for anyone to get hurt!"
Even at this point, he was still incapable of acknowledging the real severity of what he did.
He still believed he'd done nothing worse than cause a minor disturbance—completely ignoring the fact that his actions nearly killed Julia's parents, nearly destroyed her family, and nearly pushed her into despair just as her life was beginning to turn around.
Julia was very different from her father.She looked gentle, but at this moment she was ice-cold.She felt no pity for him at all—and she certainly wouldn't intercede.
Jason didn't waste even a sentence on him.He simply waved his hand.
The bodyguards stepped forward, lifted him by the collar, and threw him out of the hospital entrance.
What followed were the normal judicial procedures:the prosecutor's review and the court trial.
Due to massive public pressure—and the Mayor's personal supervision—the legal process was expedited to the fullest extent permissible.
Soon, the trial began.As a victim and key witness, Julia naturally had to attend.
The ingrates—pampered by their history of bullying the Julia family—began shouting the moment they saw her.
In the past, she would have been helpless and forced to endure their abuse.
But now?
Jason Carter stood behind her.
Lawyers and professionally trained bodyguards surrounded her tightly.If any of the ingrates made even the slightest disturbance, the legal team immediately objected, demanding judicial discipline.
Those ingrates soon learned:
They either behaved,or they were warned,reprimanded,or expelled outright from the courtroom.
Then came the defense phase—and the elite legal team Jason hired tore through every defendant like wolves tearing into sheep.
The judge began reading the first verdict:
"Defendant: William."
"Between April 3, 2022 and December 26, 2024, the defendant repeatedly intimidated, coerced, and threatened victims Julia Carter and Linda Carter to pay him money.Using the victims' injuries and reputation as leverage, he extorted payment multiple times, totaling $62,000."
"These facts are confirmed by the victims' statements, witness accounts, bank transfer records, and audio evidence. The facts are clear, and the evidence is sufficient."
"This court determines that the defendant, William, committed the crime of extortion with the intent of unlawful enrichment, with an amount categorized as especially serious."
"In accordance with relevant U.S. state criminal statutes—Sections 274, 67(3), 52, and 53—the judgment is as follows:"
"1. The defendant, William Fields, is sentenced to 10 years of imprisonment and fined $30,000."
"2. The defendant is further ordered to compensate victim Julia Carter for economic losses totaling $62,000."
William Fields had already been warned by his law school friend that the situation was serious—but only now, hearing the judge read the sentence, did he truly grasp the weight of it.
Ten years.
He was stunned.
Wasn't a ten-year sentence reserved for crimes like sexual assault, armed robbery, or causing catastrophic injury?All he had done—at least in his own mind—was what he'd always done: shake down Julia's family for money. Sure, this time he asked for more, but still…
Ten years?For sixty-two thousand dollars?Money that, in his mind, Jason Carter could easily produce with pocket change?
William collapsed to his knees.
"Jason… Julia… I know I was wrong! Please—please be merciful! I'll never threaten you again, I swear! Just spare me… please!"
Jason didn't even glance at him.Julia, usually gentle and mild, didn't soften either. Not even for a moment.
William's pleas were swallowed by the sound of officers dragging him out of the courtroom.
Then came the next verdicts:
"Defendant: Miles"By using threats and leveraging insider information related to accomplices in acts of injury, the defendant extorted $150,000."
Sentence: 13 years in prison.
"Defendants: Harris and Henry"For repeated acts of extortion, intentional injury, and causing severe bodily harm—"
Sentence: 18 years in prison each.
"Defendant: Cai"For bribing and instructing Harris and Henry to destroy private property belonging to the Carter family, resulting in the severe injury of Ms. Linda.Though evidence suggests the defendant did not intend for serious harm to occur, he remains the principal instigator.Given his active payment of medical expenses, a lighter sentence is permitted."
Sentence: 5 years in prison.
Cai's face drained of all color.His mouth hung open, but no words came out.
Then came the most devastating blow:
"Defendant: Caleb"For orchestrating multiple acts of violent coercion, causing severe injuries to numerous victims, and engaging in bribery of over five million dollars over several years, in addition to his involvement in the assault of Julia's family—"
Sentence: 22 years in prison.
Caleb didn't even struggle.Seeing his former protector, Director Warren, also wearing a prison jumpsuit, he understood there was no escape.
Inside, he was drowning in regret.
Why had he allowed his son to be so arrogant?Why had he covered up hiss mistakes instead of letting him face consequences early?Why hadn't he treated Jason with genuine respect from the beginning?Why… why had he used threats against someone so far beyond his understanding?
Cai stood there like a man hit by lightning.
He had only told some guys to "make a small scene" at a factory—something he'd done countless times before.
In his mind, the worst-case scenario should've been compensation, maybe probation.
But now?
He had ruined himself, his father, and the entire family.
Twenty-two years for his father.Five years for himself.A billion-dollar company in ruins.
All because of one stupid, arrogant decision.
Julia watched each person who tormented her family being led away in handcuffs.
Her eyes softened—not with sympathy, but with the relief of finally seeing justice.
These people had finally paid the price.Her family could finally breathe.
She turned slightly, looking up at Jason.
She didn't say a word.She didn't need to.
Her eyes were already full of everything she felt—gratitude, trust, and something deeper that was beginning to bloom.
Julia: Favorability +2.
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