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Over the weeks that followed, Eliana transferred and liquidated. Everything Gerald had accumulated was catalogued, assessed, and distributed. Her new company — built on its own momentum now, with early projects already delivering returns — absorbed the Ashford Group assets. Gerald's obligations to her, accumulated through the contracts she'd engineered, gave her first claim.

Her mother's rosewood keepsake box came to her in full. She sat on the floor of the Edinburgh house for two hours going through every item. All present. Nothing missing.