CHAPTER 14: THE FINAL OFFER
Richard entered the secure interview room wearing an orange jail uniform.
Without the tailored suits, polished shoes, and executive title, he looked smaller.
Khloe sat across from him with Harrison and two federal agents standing behind the glass.
Richard smiled faintly.
“You look well.”
“I nearly died.”
“I heard you named her Hope.”
“You will not say her name.”
His smile disappeared.
“I can give you everything.”
“You already tried to.”
“I mean evidence. Accounts the government hasn’t found. Politicians my father paid. Properties overseas.”
“In exchange for what?”
“Your statement at sentencing.”
Richard leaned closer.
“Tell the judge I was a good husband before Vanessa. Tell them I was under my father’s control.”
“You mocked my miscarriages.”
“That was Vanessa.”
“You answered her.”
“I said things I didn’t mean.”
“You paid a doctor to call me unstable.”
“I was protecting the company.”
“You planned to steal our child’s trust.”
Richard’s restraint cracked.
“You would never have had that child without me.”
Khloe stared at him.
“You mean without the procedure you arranged without my consent.”
“I gave you what you wanted.”
“No. You used my body to create an asset.”
Richard’s eyes hardened.
“If I go away for the rest of my life, everyone loses. The company. The investors. You.”
“The company is surviving without you.”
“That was mine.”
“It was built with stolen money and other people’s labor.”
Richard sat back.
For the first time, he understood there was nothing left to negotiate.
Khloe stood.
“I came because I needed to see whether any part of the man I married was real.”
“And?”
“I think you practiced being human whenever it benefited you.”
She walked toward the door.
Richard called after her.
“Khloe, please.”
She stopped but did not turn around.
“I loved you.”
“No,” she said. “You loved access.”
Richard testified against Charles Harrington anyway, hoping cooperation would reduce his sentence.
It did not save him.
Vanessa took the stand and described the affair, the fraud, and the conversation about making problems disappear after one hard fall.
Judge Pierce confirmed the bribes.
Dr. Leland admitted accepting money for a false evaluation.
The jury deliberated for seven hours.
When they returned, Richard stood without expression.
Guilty.
May you like
On every major count.
But the final verdict was still waiting for Vanessa.
