Chapter 52: Victoria's Bargain

Victoria requested a private meeting three days before Evelyn's trial resumed.

Scarlett almost refused. Then Grace informed her that Victoria had offered evidence against both Evelyn and Richard in exchange for legal consideration.

They met in a neutral law office under security supervision. Victoria looked thinner, paler, and less polished. Her designer coat could not hide the fear beneath it.

'You look pleased,' Victoria said bitterly.

Scarlett studied her. 'I look tired.'

'Of winning?'

'Of losing family members one truth at a time.'

Victoria's expression shifted, almost cracking. Then pride returned. 'Mother kept recordings. Insurance, she called them. Conversations with Richard, Victor Hale, Charles Carter. I know where some are hidden.'

'Why not give them to the police?'

'Because I need protection.'

Scarlett's mouth tightened. 'From Evelyn?'

'From everyone. Hale still has people. Carter wants silence. Richard's lawyers want me blamed for everything.'

Scarlett felt no sympathy, not exactly. But she recognized terror when she saw it.

'What do you want from me?'

Victoria swallowed. 'A public statement that I cooperated. And enough money to leave New York after the trial.'

Scarlett laughed once. 'You stole from me and now want an exit fund?'

'I helped steal from you,' Victoria said, voice shaking. 'There is a difference.'

'Not as much as you think.'

Silence settled between them.

Victoria looked down. 'I hated you because everyone said you were the real Whitmore. Even after the accident, even when they pitied you, you still had the name, the blood, the grandfather, the memories of a mother who loved you. I had Evelyn.'

Scarlett looked away. The cruelty of that almost reached her.

'Give Grace everything,' Scarlett said. 'If the evidence is real, I will not block a cooperation statement. But I will not buy your escape.'

Victoria's eyes filled. 'You really are stronger than me.'

'No,' Scarlett replied. 'I just stopped mistaking cruelty for strength.'

Victoria handed over a key to a private deposit box.

Inside it, Grace later found the recording that would destroy Charles Carter.