Each new revelation drew gasps of horror from the guests. People who had arrived as Richard’s friends now moved away as if he were radioactive. Victoria, Richard said in a broken voice, please, you got what you wanted.
Stop this. Victoria stepped forward and knelt in front of him, looking directly into his eyes. Richard, you killed our father.
You stole my family, my inheritance, my dignity. You made me clean his blood off your hands for two years. I can make it up to you, he whispered desperately.
There is no making up for 20 years of injustice, Victoria replied with haunting calm. But there are consequences. Helena’s phone rang.
It was one of their children, calling from college. Mom, is everything okay? Are they saying on the internet that dad is a murderer? Helena looked at Richard with utter disgust. His own children are finding out what kind of monster you are on social media.
Richard tried to stand, but his legs gave way. Helena, please, the children. No.
Helena screamed, silencing the entire room. You don’t mention our children. You’ve shamed them forever.
Dr. Hamilton approached Victoria. Miss Thames, I must inform you that I have already contacted the police. Richard will be arrested later today.
For murder. Victoria asked. Murder, fraud, blackmail, tax evasion.
He will spend the rest of his life in prison. Victoria turned to the guests, who watched her with a mixture of admiration and terror. I want everyone to understand one thing.
I didn’t do this for revenge. I did this for justice. For all the people who have been trampled on by men like Richard Blackwood.
Patricia Weston approached hesitantly. Victoria. I. We, we’re so sorry.
We didn’t know. You knew I was treated like a subhuman, Victoria replied firmly. You laughed.
You participated. The only difference is that now you know I have more money than you. The sound of sirens began to echo from outside.
The police had arrived. Richard looked at Victoria one last time. You’ve destroyed my life.
No, Victoria said, standing up with all her dignity. You destroyed your own life the moment you chose evil. I just made sure the truth came out.
As the police officers entered to arrest Richard, Victoria walked out onto the balcony. Outside, dozens of reporters were waiting. TV cameras, photographers, journalists, the story had already spread.
Helena approached her on the balcony. Victoria. I really didn’t know anything.
I know, Victoria said gently. You were also a victim of his. What’s going to happen now? Victoria looked out at the city sparkling below.
Now Helena, justice will finally be served. And maybe Beverly Hills will learn that class has nothing to do with a bank account. As Richard was led away in handcuffs by the police, passing through the same hall where he had tried to humiliate her hours earlier, Victoria felt something she hadn’t felt in 20 years’ peace.
What Richard would discover in the next few hours in jail was that Victoria had planned every detail not only of his downfall, but also of the complete rebuilding of her own life, and that the Blackwood Empire now had a new heir who would make sure to use that power to protect exactly the kind of people he used to trample on. Six months later, Victoria Thames Blackwood sat in Richard’s former office, now completely renovated. The walls that once displayed trophies of arrogance now displayed certificates from social projects and photos of employees promoted from entry-level positions to executive positions.
Richard had been sentenced to 25 years in prison without the possibility of parole. The charges included murder, corporate fraud, blackmail, and tax evasion. His personal fortune was completely confiscated to cover compensation to the victims.