Chapter 10 - Victoria Tells The Missing Truth
Victoria asked to speak with Richard through her attorney.
Richard agreed only with investigators present.
She looked smaller without the confidence she carried through the
mansion.
Her first question was about Lily.
Richard answered coldly.
“She’s safe.”
Victoria cried.
“I never meant to cut her.”
“You meant to frighten her.”
Silence.
“You searched her hair.”
Victoria lowered her eyes.
“Yes.”
“Why?”
She confirmed Andrew’s explanation.
She believed Caroline had hidden the database in something Lily
inherited.
She had searched clothing, toys, jewelry, and keepsakes.
The vase broke when Lily entered unexpectedly.
Victoria panicked.
Richard asked why she married him.
Her answer was painful because it was not simple.
“At first, access.”
Richard’s jaw tightened.
“And later?”
“I loved you.”
He did not respond.
Victoria continued.
She had planned to leave the investigation behind after falling in love
with Richard and Lily.
Then she found evidence suggesting Thomas was involved in Caroline’s
death.
Her obsession returned.
She contacted Andrew.
They secretly reopened the investigation.
Richard asked:
“Why not tell me?”
“Because Andrew believed you would protect the Ashford name.”
“I would have protected Lily.”
Victoria cried harder.
“I know that now.”
“No. You knew it then. That’s why you hid what you were doing.”
She could not deny it.
Victoria provided investigators with messages from Thomas.
He had threatened her after learning she reopened the trial files.
One message said:
CAROLINE SHOULD HAVE TAUGHT YOU WHAT HAPPENS WHEN PEOPLE REFUSE TO LET
THE PAST DIE.
It was not a confession.
But it was evidence.
Victoria also admitted something Andrew did not know.
The photograph behind the portrait had been deliberately placed where
Lily might eventually notice the compartment.
Richard stared.
“You wanted me to find it?”
“Eventually.”
“After what?”
“After I proved everything.”
Richard shook his head.
“You built another secret around my family while claiming you were
exposing secrets.”
Victoria looked down.
That was exactly what she had done.
Before the interview ended, she said:
“I’m sorry, Lily.”
Richard’s expression hardened.
“You don’t get to send that through me.”
May you like
Victoria nodded.
For once, she accepted a boundary without arguing.
