Chapter 19 - The Money and the Sentence
The investigation traced more than four million dollars from the foundation through Northstar to failed real estate projects, personal loans, and companies that existed only on paper. Some money was recovered from frozen accounts; other funds were gone. Richard refused to close the foundation. He appointed an independent board, hired a new treasurer, and required two approvals for every transfer.
The first grants restored were those supporting children who had lost a parent. Richard would not let the scandal erase the legitimate work Eleanor had built. He wanted donors to know what had failed and how it was being fixed.
Peter pleaded guilty to fraud and forgery. The judge sentenced him to prison, ordered restitution, and barred him from managing charitable funds. The amount he would repay depended on recovered assets and future collections. Victoria admitted helping access Richard's account and participating in the false guardianship form. She received probation, counseling, financial penalties, and restrictions on contact with Maya until a family specialist recommended otherwise.
Outside court, Victoria asked to speak to him. Elaine stayed nearby. “I didn't mean for Maya to be frightened,” Victoria said.
“You knew she was frightened. She told you. You kept doing it.”
“I wanted a place in this family.”
“You had one. You could have built it honestly.”
She asked whether Maya would ever see her again. Richard told her that decision belonged to Maya, with guidance from people who put her safety first. Victoria left with her attorney.
On the drive home, Maya asked if she had to forgive them.
“No.”
“Do I have to hate them?”
“No.”
She watched the trees pass. “Then I want to think about other things for a while.”
May you like
At the estate, Maya stopped in the hall beneath the chandelier where she had screamed on gala night. For a moment, she looked at the marble floor.
Then she took a breath and kept walking.
