Chapter 7: The Last Bargain
Victoria stared at the frozen image.
“That could be anyone.”
Marcus enlarged the frame.
Her face, earrings, and silver shawl filled the screen.
Mrs.
Doyle spoke softly.
“I fastened that shawl for you myself.”
Victoria turned on her.
“You will regret this.”
“No, ma’am.
I regret the years I stayed quiet.”
Elena pressed play.
The video showed Victoria entering with the replica necklace and leaving without it.
Julian stepped closer to the screen.
“The case I carried was empty.”
Victoria pointed at him.
“You sold the original.
This began with you.”
“You ordered me to sell it.”
“You are an adult.
Take responsibility.”
“I will.” Julian faced the officers.
“I will give a full statement, including the messages she sent me.”
Victoria’s solicitor hurried into the room, carrying his briefcase.
“Victoria, say nothing else.”
She crossed to him.
“Graham, tell these people to leave my house.”
He read the sales record, listened to part of Mrs.
Doyle’s recording, and watched the service-camera footage.
Then he closed his briefcase.
“I cannot represent you in this matter.”
Victoria stared at him.
“I have paid your firm for twenty-three years.”
“And I advised you never to file a false insurance claim.”
The officer looked up.
“An insurance claim has already been filed?”
Graham’s silence answered him.
Delia opened the final section of her folder.
“For two million dollars.
Submitted four days ago.”
Julian gripped the bench.
“Before the necklace supposedly disappeared.”
Victoria seized his arm.
“Listen to me.
Say Elena knew about the claim, and I will clear every debt in your name.”
Julian removed her hand.
“No.”
“She will divorce you.”
“I know.”
“You will have nothing.”
“I will have one honest statement left to give.”
Victoria turned to Elena.
“Then let us deal directly.
Withdraw your complaint regarding the signature, and I will tell the insurer the necklace was misplaced.”
Elena held Victoria’s gaze.
“And Mrs.
Doyle?”
“She signed a confidentiality agreement.”
“She exposed you.”
“She betrayed me.”
“No.
She refused to betray me.”
The officer’s phone rang.
He listened briefly, then faced Victoria.
“The insurance investigator has confirmed the claim date and the serial number of the original necklace.
I need you to come with us.”
Victoria’s voice rose.
“You cannot remove me from my own home.”
“You are being taken into custody on suspicion of filing a false report, attempted insurance deception, and forgery.”
The guests in the corridor stepped aside.
Victoria looked toward the company board members.
“If I leave, every one of you loses money.”
A gray-haired man near the stairs walked into the bedroom.
“I am Harold Bennett, vice-chairman of the board.
Ms.
Price, may I see the bank records?”
Delia handed him a copy.
He read the first page and looked at Victoria.
“The board is calling an emergency meeting tonight.”
“You cannot remove me without a vote.”
Harold took out his phone.
“The other six directors are downstairs.”
Ten minutes later, they gathered around the dining table while the officers waited.
Elena remained beside her father as each director raised a hand.
Harold counted them.
“Six votes in favor.
Victoria Hale is removed as chairwoman, effective immediately.
Her access to company accounts is suspended.”
Victoria laughed bitterly.
“You built your careers on my name.”
Harold stood.
“And you risked our employees’ livelihoods to cover a private scheme.”
The officer allowed Victoria to collect her handbag.
At the front door, she turned toward Elena.
“You have destroyed this family.”
Elena walked forward until only a few feet separated them.
“No.
I refused to let you destroy me.”
Victoria looked at Julian.
“When she abandons you, remember that I offered you a way out.”
Julian’s voice shook.
“Your way out always required someone else to take the blame.”
The officer escorted Victoria through the doorway.
Julian waited until the car had left before approaching Elena.
He carried a sealed envelope.
“There is one final document you need to see.”
Elena did not take it.
“What else did you sign?”
May you like
Julian placed the envelope on the table.
“My confession—and my agreement to give up any claim to Rose Cottage.”
