Victoria’s Bargain
Chapter 13 - Victoria’s Bargain
Victoria requested a private meeting with Ava.
Her attorneys advised silence. She ignored them because she still believed she could control people more easily face-to-face.
They met in the mansion’s morning room under police supervision.
Victoria wore a plain black dress instead of silver. Without the gala, jewels, and balcony, she appeared smaller.
“I can tell you who ordered Grant’s crash,” she said.
“In exchange for what?”
“You vote to preserve my spousal trust and ask the prosecutor for leniency.”
Ava sat opposite her.
“You tried to erase me before I had a name.”
“I was thirty-two. Edward told me Grant would leave, the company would collapse, and Julian would grow up with nothing.”
“Julian had not been born.”
Victoria’s mouth tightened.
She had built her defense around motherhood, but the first crime came before motherhood could excuse it.
“I loved Grant,” she said.
“You loved being chosen.”
Victoria looked toward the window.
She admitted visiting Rachel in the hospital, approving Ava’s removal, and helping Edward falsify the death record. She claimed she did not know Louise would rescue the baby.
Years later, when Victoria learned Ava was alive, she hired investigators to monitor Rachel. She never ordered them killed because she feared a suspicious death would lead Grant to the truth.
“Who sabotaged the plane?” Ava asked.
“Martin Shaw.”
The board director who objected to Grant’s reinstatement had partnered with Edward for years. Shaw controlled aviation contracts and foundation investments. He planned to take the company after Victoria secured the founder’s shares.
Victoria had believed she would remain chair.
Shaw planned to remove her too.
Ava studied her.
“You betrayed everyone and still thought you were the exception.”
Victoria leaned forward.
“Give me the trust, and I will testify.”
“No.”
“Then Shaw walks free.”
“No. You testify because Julian deserves to know whether his mother can choose him once without buying something in return.”
Victoria’s eyes filled with anger.
“You speak as though one night makes you his sister.”
“No. But you spent thirty-two years making him your shield.”
Ava stood.
Victoria called after her.
“Grant will disappoint you.”
Ava turned.
“He already has. The difference is he admits it.”
Victoria eventually signed a cooperation agreement without Ava’s help.
She identified accounts, witnesses, and the hangar where Shaw’s contractors altered Grant’s aircraft system.
Police arrested Martin Shaw at dawn.
The investigation confirmed Victoria’s story.
But her testimony also revealed one final secret.
Grant had suspected Ava was alive fourteen years earlier.
He had found a school photograph bearing Rachel’s married name.
He chose not to investigate after Victoria convinced him it would reopen an old scandal.
Ava confronted him in the library.
“You knew there was a chance.”
Grant looked at the photograph Victoria had preserved.
“Yes.”
“You let fear make the decision again.”
“Yes.”
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This apology was not enough.
This time, Ava walked away from him.
