Chapter 15 - Catherine’s Smile
Mom’s defense was harder emotionally.
She never swung.
She never touched me.
She smiled.
But law cared about more than hands.
The prosecution showed:
She selected brick.
Placed it.
Discussed face injury.
Planned scenarios.
Expected Chloe to replace me.
Then her letter.
“I wanted him to damage your face enough that Ethan would hesitate.”
Her lawyer argued emotional confession after trauma, not precise legal intent.
Still.
Then Catherine testified.
“I was angry.”
“Were you jealous of Rebecca?”
“Yes.”
“Of Emma?”
“Yes.”
“Of Chloe?”
“No.”
Then prosecutor:
“Did you believe Chloe deserved Ethan?”
“Yes.”
“Did Ethan want Chloe?”
“No.”
“Did Chloe love Ethan?”
“I thought she could.”
No.
Then:
“Did you believe Emma’s wedding would expose Richard’s financial control?”
“Yes.”
“Did you want wedding canceled?”
“Yes.”
“Did you place the brick?”
“Yes.”
“Did you tell Richard where to hit?”
Silence.
“Did you?”
“Yes.”
My stomach turned even though I knew.
Then:
“Did you expect permanent injury?”
“I expected a scar.”
“So yes.”
“Yes.”
Then:
“Did you understand an impact to the head with a brick could kill?”
Catherine cried.
“I didn’t think he would hit that hard.”
There.
Same.
Not enough for murder perhaps, but conspiracy to serious assault clear.
Then Chloe testified.
Her mother stared.
Chloe described:
Wear something decent.
Ethan will need someone stable after.
Then the morning.
“Mom told Dad one hit.”
Then:
“She told him face.”
Defense attacked Chloe’s plea deal.
Fair.
“You want probation.”
“Yes.”
“You blamed parents to save yourself.”
“I told police what I did too.”
Then:
“You sent threatening emails.”
“Yes.”
“You stalked Ethan.”
“Yes.”
“You wanted him.”
“I wanted him to choose me.”
That distinction made jury uncomfortable.
Good.
Then Ethan.
Defense asked:
“Did you ever encourage Chloe?”
“No.”
“Did you speak privately?”
“At times when she appeared unexpectedly.”
“Did you tell her you were wealthy?”
“My company sale was public.”
Then one embarrassing photo.
Chloe hugging Ethan at a charity gala.
Mom used as proof he had interest.
Ethan:
“She walked into a photograph while I was turning.”
Video showed.
Ridiculous.
Then verdict.
Catherine guilty of conspiracy to commit aggravated assault.
Guilty as accomplice to aggravated assault.
Guilty of stalking related conspiracy? Maybe.
Not guilty of attempted murder.
Again, law drew line.
I was okay.
Then sentencing later.
But first financial cases.
Richard and Catherine faced civil and criminal charges for fiduciary fraud, falsified shareholder certifications, unauthorized transfers.
Chloe cooperated.
Hudson had records.
Then Richard offered plea.
He was already facing long sentence.
He agreed to financial fraud counts and restitution structure to avoid separate lengthy trial.
Catherine too eventually.
They had used $6.7 million improperly.
Not all recoverable.
Settlement:
Family home sold.
Investment accounts liquidated subject to exemptions.
Hanover East interests surrendered.
Insurance.
Restitution to trust and Whitmore.
They would not repay every childhood dollar.
No need.
Independent forensic accounting set $4.9 million restitution jointly.
Then house sale.
The house where I grew up.
Where Dad hit me outside.
Sold.
I expected grief.
I had some.
Chloe cried harder.
She had nowhere emotionally.
I told her:
“A building isn’t childhood.”
“Feels like it.”
“Yes.”
Both.
Then sentencing.
Richard received a substantial prison term for aggravated assault plus financial fraud, likely more than a decade.
Catherine received somewhat shorter but still significant custody due conspiracy and fraud.
Chloe received probation, community service, counseling, and financial restitution for her traceable benefit and offenses.
No prison.
The judge told her:
“Cooperation does not make you innocent. It makes you accountable earlier.”
Good.
Then Catherine looked at me before deputies took her.
No smile.
Just:
“I’m sorry.”
May you like
I said nothing.
Continue to the next part: The criminal cases close with Richard and Catherine imprisoned and Chloe on probation, but Emma still has to decide what to do with the company and fortune they spent decades hiding from her.
