Lonely Road

Meg ultimately decided to tackle the case on her own, without further meetings with Delgado. She threw herself into the work, pouring over financial records late into the night and meticulously building a timeline of events. Her desk became a sea of sticky notes and color-coded files as she pieced together the intricate web of Delgado's dealings.

For weeks, Meg barely left the office. She subsisted on takeout and coffee, her usually impeccable appearance growing slightly disheveled. But her mind was razor-sharp, fueled by determination and a desire to prove herself. She interviewed witnesses, cross-referenced accounts, and constructed elaborate charts mapping out the flow of money.

When the trial day finally arrived, Meg strode into the courtroom with confidence. Her suit was crisp, her hair perfectly coiffed, and her eyes bright with purpose. As she presented their case, the courtroom fell silent, hanging on her every word. Her arguments were articulate and well-reasoned, her rebuttals quick and incisive. Even the opposing counsel seemed impressed by her thoroughness and poise.

However, as the trial progressed, the gaps in their defense became apparent. Without Delgado's insider knowledge, Meg struggled to explain away certain discrepancies or provide concrete evidence for key claims. She did her best to work around these issues, but she could see the doubt creeping into the jurors' eyes.

In the end, Delgado was found guilty, but the sentence was far lighter than anyone had anticipated. The judge, swayed by the defense's arguments about mitigating circumstances and Delgado's supposed cooperation, handed down a sentence of just five years, with the possibility of parole after three.

As the verdict was read, Meg felt a mixture of relief and frustration wash over her. She had won, technically, but the victory felt hollow. Delgado's defeated smile as he was led away in handcuffs made her stomach churn.

Still, as she packed up her briefcase and made her way out of the courtroom, Meg couldn't help but feel a sense of pride. She had taken on a complex case solo, navigating treacherous legal waters and coming out the other side victorious, if not unscathed. The experience had been a crucible, testing her limits and pushing her to new heights.