Chapter 5 - The Fall of Victoria
As the police led a screaming Eleanor and a weeping Julian out of the courthouse in handcuffs, Sarah Thorne walked out the front doors, holding her phone to her ear.
"She’s trapped," Sarah said into the receiver as she walked down the stone steps toward her car. "Victoria Sterling tried to board a private flight to the Bahamas ten minutes ago from Midway Airport."
On the screen in my library, I watched the live security feed Sarah’s private investigator had provided.
Victoria was standing near the tarmac at Midway, dressed in dark sunglasses and a trench coat, dragging two expensive leather suitcases. Two federal agents approached her, pulling out badges and showing her a piece of paper.
Victoria dropped her bags, backing away in terror, but the agents quickly handcuffed her arms behind her back.
"What are the charges for Victoria?" I asked, sipping my herbal tea.
"Complicity in grand larceny, wire fraud, and conspiracy to commit extortion," Sarah reported, getting into the backseat of her town car. "Her father refused to pay her bail this time. She is currently being held in the same federal holding facility as Julian."
"And the shell accounts?"
"Every dollar of the 3.2 million Julian stole has been frozen by the Department of Justice," Sarah said triumphantly. "We filed an emergency civil motion this morning. By Friday, the funds will be fully returned to Vance Development’s primary accounts, along with interest."
I looked down at Hazel, who was sleeping peacefully in her bassinet beside my desk. The nightmare that had begun six days ago was rapidly crumbling under the weight of truth.
"Genevieve," Sarah added, her tone becoming serious. "There is one detail you need to know. Julian’s uncle, Arthur Vance, reached out five minutes ago. He wants to discuss a plea deal."
I narrowed my eyes. "What kind of deal?"
"Julian is terrified of spending twenty years in a federal prison," Sarah explained. "He’s offered to sign a complete, uncontested divorce settlement, waive all rights to any matrimonial property, sign away all parental rights to Hazel, and plead guilty to all charges—if you agree not to pursue civil damages against his personal trust."
I let out a low, cold laugh.
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"Tell Arthur Vance that my response is no," I said firmly. "Julian doesn't get to bargain. He tried to ruin my life, steal my father's company, and take my daughter. He will face the full weight of the law, both criminal and civil."
"I thought you'd say that," Sarah smiled through the phone. "I'll tell Arthur to start preparing for trial."
