Chapter 13 - Victoria Puts My Money on Trial
Victoria’s attorney opened:
“This case is about a family confrontation distorted by money, divorce, and resentment.”
He wanted jury to believe I had engineered everything.
Why?
I secretly controlled company.
I was leaving Dominic.
I confronted Victoria.
Therefore, she had motive to fear me.
Fear is not permission to push.
Then the staircase.
No direct camera.
Defense emphasized.
Sarah Collins testified.
She saw both hands.
No hesitation.
“I saw Mrs. Vance push Audrey from behind.”
Defense:
“You worked for Audrey?”
“No. Household employed me through property services.”
“Who owns property services?”
“Aster Vale subsidiary.”
“Ultimately Audrey?”
“I learned later.”
“So your employer is connected.”
“I gave statement before I knew.”
Good.
Then Benjamin Rhodes.
He heard threat.
Then foyer camera.
My body falling.
Dominic stepping around.
Victoria descending.
Then 911.
Sarah:
“She fell down stairs. There’s blood. Her mother-in-law pushed her.”
That call occurred before financial secrets surfaced.
Then doctor.
Injury.
Pregnancy.
Loss.
No need overdramatize.
Then Dominic.
He testified.
My ex-husband sat across from mother.
“Did you see push?”
“No.”
“Did Victoria ask camera disabled?”
“Yes.”
“Why did you comply?”
“She said Audrey was creating scene and did not want it recorded.”
“Did you know she would use force?”
“No.”
“After Audrey fell?”
“I told staff say she slipped.”
“Why?”
“I panicked and wanted gala protected.”
Then:
“Did Audrey threaten your mother physically?”
“No.”
“Did Audrey say she was leaving marriage?”
“Yes.”
“Did your mother say Audrey would leave with nothing?”
“I heard part.”
Then Paige.
She saw.
“Did Victoria push Audrey?”
“Yes.”
Defense attacked cooperation.
Paige admitted benefit.
Then restricted file.
Defense suggested Paige resented Victoria after losing contract.
Paige said:
“I lied first to protect myself. I’m telling truth now because evidence showed I lied.”
Then me.
I testified.
The shove.
Pregnancy unknown.
Money.
Defense immediately.
“You secretly owned controlling interest in your husband’s company.”
“Yes.”
“You hid eighty million dollar trust.”
“I did not disclose value. Prenup disclosed substantial trust.”
“You allowed Victoria to believe you were dependent.”
“I did not owe Victoria financial statements.”
“Did you enjoy watching her underestimate you?”
“No.”
“Did you intend to take company from Dominic?”
“No. I already owned majority through investment.”
That line landed.
Then:
“You confronted Victoria.”
“Yes.”
“You told her you were leaving.”
“Yes.”
“She feared you would use ownership against family.”
“Maybe.”
“Did you move toward her?”
“I turned to walk downstairs.”
Then:
“Did you touch her?”
“No.”
Then prosecutor redirect.
“Did your wealth make falling less painful?”
“No.”
“Did company ownership cause Victoria to put hands on you?”
“No.”
“Did you know you were pregnant?”
“No.”
Then text.
Victoria:
Turn staircase camera off.
Then after:
Tell staff she slipped.
Her own words.
Defense could not make money erase.
Then Victoria testified.
She said I lunged.
Sarah wrong.
Paige liar.
Dominic weak.
Everyone against.
Then prosecutor:
“Why tell staff she slipped if that was truly what happened?”
Victoria:
“Because I wanted calm.”
“Why ask camera off before?”
“Privacy.”
Then:
“Why say Audrey would leave with nothing?”
“Because she was threatening family.”
“By getting divorced?”
Silence.
Then:
“Did you know Audrey might control Aster Vale?”
“I suspected.”
There.
Motive.
Then:
“Did you push because she threatened company?”
“No.”
“Why push?”
Victoria snapped:
“I didn’t push her.”
Back to denial.
Jury deliberated.
Guilty aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury.
Guilty evidence tampering/conspiracy to mislead? She told staff and camera, but camera off pre-crime; post told lie. Let's say obstruction.
Not guilty on a separate count alleging she intended to terminate pregnancy because no evidence she knew.
Correct.
May you like
No sensational overreach.
Then sentencing.
