Chapter 13 - The Trap at Victoria’s Door
The luxury high-rise apartment where Victoria was currently staying was a far cry from the sprawling Prescott family estate, but it was still lavishly appointed with floor-to-ceiling windows and imported marble countertops. When Julian and I stepped out of the private elevator, we didn't bother knocking politely. Julian used a specialized electronic bypass tool to click open the smart lock within three seconds.
The door swung open silently.
Inside, the apartment was dim and smelled faintly of stale wine and expensive perfume. Sitting at the glass dining table, surrounded by half-packed designer luggage and empty champagne flutes, was Victoria. She looked disheveled, her hair unbrushed, her makeup smeared from crying.
When she saw us walk in, she didn't scream or threaten us. She simply slumped back into her chair, looking utterly defeated.
"You’re too late," Victoria muttered, her voice hollow and raspy. "Richard is gone. He took whatever cash was left in the joint accounts, cleaned out the safe, and left me here with nothing. Not a dime. After everything I sacrificed for that man... he abandoned me like a broken piece of furniture."
I walked slowly across the room, stopping a few feet from her table. I felt no pity—only a cold, detached clarity. "You chose him, Victoria. Every time you had a choice between your daughters and Richard’s greed, you chose him. You watched him try to destroy Haley, and you stayed silent. You watched him manipulate Grandfather Henry’s legacy, and you nodded along."
Victoria raised her head, her eyes flashing with a spark of her old, bitter pride. "I was his wife! It was my duty to—"
"Your duty was to protect your family," I cut her off, my voice slicing through the air like a razor. "Not to act as an accomplice to a criminal. Now, where is the master USB drive, Victoria? Don't lie to me. We know Richard kept his offshore access keys here before he fled."
Victoria stared at me for a long moment, realization dawning in her eyes that she had absolutely no leverage left. She reached slowly into her handbag resting on the floor, pulled out a small, heavy black flash drive, and tossed it across the glass table. It slid to a stop right in front of my hand.
"Take it," Victoria whispered, burying her face in her hands. "Take it and destroy him. I don't care anymore."
I picked up the drive, slipping it safely into my pocket. I turned to Julian, who gave me a sharp nod.
May you like
"The authorities have been notified," Julian said quietly to Victoria. "You won't face criminal charges if you cooperate fully with the federal prosecutors starting Monday morning. But your luxurious lifestyle in this city is officially over."
We turned and walked out of the apartment, leaving Victoria alone in the silence of her own making. The final puzzle piece was in our hands. Now, it was time to close the trap.
