Chapter 14 - THE MAN WHO ORDERED ELENA’S DEATH
Charles Vale faced trial for murder.
The greenhouse footage showed him dragging Elena away.
Traffic records placed his vehicle behind her car.
A mechanic testified Charles ordered the brake alteration.
Charles claimed Victoria gave the final instruction.
Victoria testified under a limited agreement.
She described the greenhouse confrontation.
Elena said copies had been sent.
Gideon panicked.
Charles restrained her.
Victoria told them to take the phone.
Then she left.
“What did you believe would happen?” the prosecutor asked.
“My father said they would frighten her.”
“Did you believe she would return?”
Victoria paused.
“No.”
Arthur watched from the back of the courtroom.
She had known.
Perhaps not the method.
Not the road.
Not the cut brake line.
But she knew Elena would not return.
Charles took the stand.
He blamed Gideon.
Then Victoria.
Then the mechanic.
The prosecutor displayed a message he sent after the crash.
Problem solved.
Children still on property.
Victoria replied:
I will handle them.
The children were not grieving dependents to the Vales.
They were remaining evidence.
Charles received life imprisonment.
The mechanic received fifteen years under a cooperation agreement.
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Dr. Hale lost his medical license and received twelve years.
The network that looked powerful inside the mansion became ordinary defendants beneath courtroom lights.
