Chapter 15 - SOPHIA CHOOSES A SIDE|
Sophia had spent the previous week discovering how little protection money could buy.
Alexander had stopped paying her expenses. The driver he had assigned to her was reassigned. Her apartment remained hers only because its ownership was still under legal review, and the bank had requested additional documentation concerning the purchase.
She had never imagined that a luxury life could disappear so quickly.
For years, she had told herself that Victoria was the obstacle.
If Victoria left, Alexander would finally be free to build a life with her.
Now she understood that she had mistaken secrecy for security.
Sophia contacted an independent attorney and explained that she had signed corporate documents without understanding their purpose. Her lawyer instructed her to preserve all communications and avoid discussing the matter with Alexander or Richard.
Then she called Nathan.
“I have something else.”
They met in his office with Sophia's lawyer present.
Sophia brought a small notebook she had kept inside a locked drawer. It contained dates, account references, and notes she had written after conversations with Richard.
She had started keeping the notebook because she suspected Alexander might eventually deny promising her anything.
She had not expected it to become evidence in a financial investigation.
“What made you keep these records?” Nathan asked.
Sophia looked embarrassed.
“I wanted proof that Alexander had promised to take care of me and the baby.”
Victoria, who had agreed to attend the meeting, said nothing.
Sophia continued.
“Richard told me the accounts were temporary. He said the money would be moved again after the anniversary. He wanted me to sign the property documents before then.”
“Did he explain why?” Nathan asked.
“He said it was part of a family arrangement.”
“Did he mention Victoria?”
Sophia nodded.
“He said she would never challenge anything because she was too loyal to Alexander.”
Victoria felt anger rise, but she kept her voice steady.
“Did he tell you what would happen if I did challenge it?”
Sophia hesitated.
“He said the documents would make it appear that you had approved the transfers.”
Nathan exchanged a glance with Victoria.
“Did he explain how?”
“No. He said Alexander's signature and yours were already on the necessary agreement.”
Sophia opened the notebook.
A date was written beside a company name. Underneath it, she had recorded Richard's words.
Once the final transfer clears, the wife takes responsibility. Alexander keeps the business. Everyone gets what they want.
Victoria stared at the sentence.
“That sounds like a plan to frame me.”
Sophia began crying.
“I didn't understand what it meant. I thought Richard was talking about an ordinary tax arrangement.”
“You never asked why he needed my name?”
“I should have.”
“Yes,” Victoria said quietly. “You should have.”
Sophia lowered her head.
“I wanted Alexander so badly that I convinced myself everything he did was acceptable. I knew he was married. I knew you were being humiliated. I told myself you didn't care because that made it easier.”
For the first time, Victoria believed Sophia understood the damage she had caused.
But understanding was not the same as forgiveness.
“I can't give you back the years you helped him take from me,” Victoria said. “And I can't promise that this investigation won't affect you.”
“I know.”
“But if you tell the truth, I won't lie about you to make myself look better.”
Sophia nodded.
It was a small promise, but it mattered.
Nathan made copies of the notebook through the appropriate evidence-preservation process. Sophia's attorney arranged for her to cooperate with investigators.
As the meeting ended, Sophia stopped beside Victoria.
“There is one thing you should know about Alexander.”
Victoria looked at her.
“He didn't tell me about your grandmother's inheritance. Richard did. He said the old partnership was worth far more than anyone realized.”
“How did he know that?”
“He showed me a letter.”
“Where is it?”
Sophia reached into her handbag and removed a photograph of the letter.
The image showed a handwritten message from Dominic Moretti to Richard Cole.
One sentence was underlined.
If the Bennett heir ever discovers the original agreement, she must never be allowed to take control of the company.
Victoria stared at the words.
Nathan immediately photographed the image and documented its source.
Sophia's face had gone white.
“I thought he was talking about money.”
Victoria folded her hands.
“He was talking about control.”
As they left the office, Nathan received a call from the forensic accountant.
The latest bank records had arrived.
They showed that the final Northbridge transfer had been scheduled for the day after Victoria's anniversary.
The receiving account was controlled by a company registered outside Illinois.
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Its authorized signatory was Richard Cole.
And the amount was large enough to leave both Alexander and Victoria facing a financial catastrophe.
