Chapter 16 - The Last Attempt
Omar stopped Victoria before she reached the front door. The flash drive was still inside the safe, but she had a key in her hand and a small envelope tucked into her purse. She claimed she was looking for personal photographs. Omar documented the incident and called Elaine.
Richard met Victoria in the library with Elaine present. For the first time since they married, Victoria looked genuinely tired. The careful posture, polished smile, and perfect answers had slipped.
“Why?” Richard asked.
“Peter said the money was temporary,” she replied. “He said his company would repay the foundation when a property deal closed. Then the deal failed, and the payments kept coming. I knew it was wrong, but my name was on the paperwork too.”
“And Maya?”
“I wanted her sent to the residential school because she kept asking questions. Peter said it would make the guardianship easier. He said you could sign the form and still be her father.”
“You told her her mother died because of her.”
“I was angry.”
“She was a child.”
“I know.” Victoria's voice broke. “I thought if she stopped talking about Eleanor, you would finally see me.”
“You could have asked me to see you. You chose to hurt her.”
Elaine asked whether Victoria knew the guardianship signature was false. Victoria admitted Peter had shown her a scanned version and told her it was only a draft. She had used the tablet to access Richard's login token and help prepare the transfer. She denied knowing the exact amount scheduled to move.
Elaine explained that the statement would go to investigators and that Victoria should speak through her own attorney from then on.
As she stood to leave, Victoria looked toward the stairs. “Will Maya ever forgive me?”
Richard answered honestly. “That's hers to decide. You don't get to ask her for that now.”
Victoria walked out.
May you like
Maya appeared at the top of the stairs, having heard enough to understand that the lies were finally being named. She handed Richard the little brass key.
“I don't want to hide it anymore.”
