Chapter 13 - Victoria Turns
Victoria’s testimony lasted two days.
She wore navy suit.
No lingerie.
No coat.
She looked like another person.
Prosecutor asked:
“When did relationship begin?”
“Eighteen months before Hazel’s birth.”
“Did Genevieve know?”
“No.”
“Did Julian promise marriage?”
“Yes.”
“Ownership?”
“He said we would control Vance together.”
Then Vale Strategic.
Victoria admitted she did some legitimate consulting.
Defense emphasized.
“Yes.”
“Did Genevieve benefit?”
“Some reports were used.”
“How much?”
“I don’t know.”
Forensic estimated.
Then fraud.
“Why split invoices under $50,000?”
“Julian said anything above required Genevieve approval.”
“Did you understand purpose?”
“Yes.”
Then death contingency.
Texts.
She confirmed.
Defense attacked:
“You are testifying to reduce sentence.”
“Yes.”
“You lied for years.”
“Yes.”
“You stole from Genevieve.”
“Yes.”
“You slept with her husband.”
“Yes.”
“You laughed at her while she was injured.”
Victoria swallowed.
“Yes.”
“You expect jury believe you now?”
“No.”
That answer landed.
“I expect them to believe records.”
Then defense tried shift plan to Victoria.
“Mercer Capital twenty percent yours.”
“Yes.”
“You wanted Genevieve’s company.”
“I wanted money and Julian.”
“Did you propose death record?”
“I asked what happened if she died. Julian designed steps.”
“Did you type record?”
“Yes.”
“Without Julian beside?”
“He texted.”
“Could you have done alone?”
“Yes.”
“Could trust amendment be your creation?”
“I physically edited it.”
“So Julian didn’t?”
“He told me what to change.”
Text corroborated.
Then hospital.
“Why go?”
“To humiliate her.”
A courtroom stillness.
Defense probably wished she lied.
Then:
“Did Julian ask you to wear lingerie?”
“No.”
“You chose.”
“Yes.”
“Was that part of financial conspiracy?”
“No.”
Good.
Cruelty separate.
Then:
“Did Julian tell you Genevieve would be sedated?”
“Yes.”
“Did he tell you she was incompetent?”
“He said she couldn’t move and would be easy to pressure.”
My nails dug palm.
Then prosecutor:
“Did Julian ever ask you to harm Genevieve medically?”
“No.”
“Tamper medication?”
“No.”
“Cause hematoma?”
“No.”
“Arrange death?”
“No.”
This mattered.
No murder plot.
Then Plan B.
“Why call it death scenario?”
“Because if she died naturally during delivery.”
Ugly enough.
Then the $9.8m transfer.
Victoria testified they planned to use Mercer Capital to buy properties and later refinance.
“Would Genevieve know?”
“Eventually.”
“Did you expect her consent?”
“No.”
Then one text:
VICTORIA:
What if Sarah blocks?
JULIAN:
Once deeds move, Gen has to negotiate.
Exactly.
Temporary theft as leverage.
Then Victoria broke.
Not dramatically.
She cried while saying:
“I thought because Genevieve had so much, taking some was different.”
There it was.
Entitlement by abundance.
May you like
If victim wealthy, stealing felt less.
The jury would hear.
