Chapter 13 - VICTORIA'S CHOICE
Victoria agreed to testify against Richard.
Not because Sarah asked.
Because prosecutors offered consideration and because, for the first time, Victoria seemed to understand she had spent her life performing for a father who measured people by usefulness.
Her testimony was ugly.
She admitted forming Crown.
Forging Sarah's authentication.
Moving money.
Entering the Mercer home.
Lying in court.
Shaving Sarah's head without consent.
The prosecutor asked why she did the last thing.
Victoria looked toward Sarah.
“Jealousy.”
“Did Richard order it?”
“No.”
“Did Julian?”
“No.”
“Who made that choice?”
“I did.”
Sarah felt something unclench.
Not forgiveness.
Responsibility.
Victoria finally carried her own action without placing it inside someone else's plan.
Richard's defense attacked her credibility.
Correctly, in some ways.
She had lied repeatedly.
But documents supported enough of her story.
Denise's logs.
The motel recording.
The Michigan archive.
Bank transfers.
Richard's handwriting.
Julian testified too.
He admitted failures.
He admitted he knew about software risk.
Admitted misleading the board by omission.
Admitted allowing Victoria extraordinary access.
Admitted drafting a divorce petition portraying Sarah as unstable.
Richard's lawyer asked:
“Isn't it true your wife threatened to end your entire world?”
Julian looked at Sarah.
“Yes.”
“Was that not threatening?”
Julian paused.
“She filed legal documents and blocked a fraudulent loan.”
The attorney pushed.
“That isn't what she said.”
“No.”
“What did you think she meant?”
Julian looked down.
“I thought she was bluffing.”
“Were you afraid?”
“No.”
“Then why are we here?”
Julian answered:
“Because she wasn't.”
The courtroom went quiet.
Sarah did not smile.
Richard's trial was not about revenge.
It was about evidence.
He was convicted on fraud, obstruction, conspiracy, identity theft, and related charges. Separate proceedings followed regarding Paul Dorsey's death; prosecutors ultimately could not prove murder beyond a reasonable doubt, though Richard was convicted of witness tampering connected to Dorsey's intimidation.
Victoria pleaded guilty to fraud, identity theft, perjury-related conduct, and assault.
Her sentence included prison time.
Julian entered a deferred prosecution arrangement on certain disclosure issues, paid penalties, accepted a multiyear officer-and-director bar, and resigned permanently from Halcyon.
He lost the title he once believed defined him.
Sarah expected him to collapse.
Instead he became quieter.
That almost angered her more.
Growth should not be allowed to arrive after damage and demand applause.
So she gave none.
During divorce mediation Julian said:
“I understand if you never forgive me.”
Sarah answered:
“Good.”
He almost smiled.
Then stopped.
“You protected her.”
“I know.”
“That is the thing I can't get past.”
“I know.”
“Not the affair.”
He looked surprised.
Sarah continued.
“The affair ended the marriage. But the office told me who you had become.”
Julian's eyes filled.
“She was wrong.”
“About what?”
“When she said you were worthless.”
Sarah held his gaze.
“You don't get to correct her now.”
May you like
He nodded.
That was the right response.
