Chapter 10 Ryan initially refused . That incident was a scar carved deep in his memory . He didn't want to reopen it . " Ms. Jenkins , it's been so many years , " his voice on the phone was weary . " I have my life now . I don't want any more involvement with him . " " Mr. Johson , this isn't involvement , " I said seriously . " This is overdue justice . " " Marcus didn't just ruin your life - these past years , he's used the same methods to destroy more people , more companies . " " This time , we have a complete chain of evidence to stop him from hurting anyone ever again . " [ ] " Your testimony is the final blow to bring him down . " " You're not just doing this for yourself , but for everyone he's harmed . " ] Ryan went silent on the other end . After a long pause , he sighed deeply ] " Alright . " " I'll testify in court . " With Ryan joining us , the game was completely won . Mr. Foster , Ryan , and I formed an " Avengers alliance . " [] The commercial fraud case from three years ago was reopened for investigation . [ ] Marcus's crimes of forging evidence and framing competitors were completely confirmed . Next , the Bar Association's disciplinary hearing convened . ] ] Nora , as a cooperating witness , completely revealed all her dealings with Marcus . Ryan also testified as a special witness , describing the complete process of Marcus's academic plagiarism and presenting the original research data he'd preserved from back then . ] ] The evidence was ironclad . ] Marcus was immediately disbarred . ] What awaited him was criminal trial with multiple charges . ] Sterling & Associates , once an industry giant , saw its reputation destroyed by this scandal , lost massive numbers of clients , and finally declared bankruptcy . ] A commercial empire collapsed in ruins. On the day of the final sentencing . I went to court . Not as an attorney , but as an ordinary observer in the gallery . ] Marcus stood in the defendant's dock wearing prison clothes , head shaved . ] He was much thinner and more haggard , completely lacking his former high spirits . ] When the judge sentenced him to fifteen years for perjury , obstruction of justice , commercial fraud , and other charges ... He collapsed completely , held up only by the bailiffs . His gaze passed through the crowd and finally landed on me . ] In those eyes were shock , unwillingness , regret , and a plea I couldn't understand . [ ] After the hearing ended . I walked out Passing by him , he suddenly struggled and shouted . " Harper ! " I stopped but didn't turn around . " Why ? " His voice was hoarse as sandpaper . " After all these years together , why did you have to be so ruthless ? " ] I finally turned around and looked at him calmly . ] " Marcus , do you know what I regret most ? " ] He star at me blankly . " I don't regret loving you ." " I regret that it took me so many years to see what kind of person you really are . " " You ask why I was so ruthless ? " " Because this is what you deserve . " ] I didn't say another word . I turned and walked out of the courthouse through countless camera flashes . As for Nora , she received probation for her significant cooperation . ] Her legal career was completely over . I heard she left the city and returned to her hometown No one one's heard from her since . ] ] Mr. William's company , after clearing its name , received substantial government support funding and is preparing for a comeback Ryan became a partner in the new company , handling the technical development he excelled at . He called to thank me formally . [] " Ms. Jenkins , thank you , " he said . " You not only helped me get justice but also helped me resolve years of inner turmoil . " ] " I should thank you for being willing to come forward , " I replied with a smile . Life seemed to be getting back on track . My firm gained tremendous recognition from this spectacular comeback , with business multiplying several times over . [ ] Vivian became my most capable partner Together , we won case after case . Occasionally , I still thought of Marcus Thought of that pen engraved with " H.J. & M.S. " Thought of how he used to call me " my sunshine . " ] But there was no more love in my heart , not even much hate left .] To me , he was just a criminal stranger now . The most successful case of my career . ] One weekend , I was deep cleaning at home alone . [ In a corner of the study , I found a dusty box . ] Inside were photos of Marcus and me , from college to marriage , a thick stack . Looking at myself in the photos , smiling so happily , I felt somewhat dazed . Without hesitation , I fed all the photos into the shredder . Watching those memories of the past become irreparable strips . [ ] I felt an unprecedented sense of relief . My phone rang . It was Vivian " Hey superstar lawyer , what are you up to ? " " Celebrating rebirth , " I answered . ] That definitely calls for celebration ! Dinner tonight , and I'm introducing you to a hottie ! " she teases the other end . Capon 10 I laughed . ] After hanging up , I walked to the window , looking at the bustling traffic outside . [ ] Sunlight streamed through the glass onto my face , warm and comforting . ] My sunshine had always been there . ] It never needed anyone else to provide it . [ ]