Chapter 15 - The Revenge Victoria Never Expected
Three years after the birthday party, Victoria became eligible to receive annual distributions from her recovered Vale trust.
Twenty-four million dollars existed for her.
Everyone expected Lily to challenge it.
She did not.
Instead she approved the lawful distribution structure through independent trustees.
Victoria’s lawyer called.
“You’re not contesting?”
“No.”
“Why?”
“Because it’s hers.”
That news apparently stunned Victoria.
Lily’s revenge was refusing to become her.
Then came restitution.
Victoria owed Sterling Meridian and several victims millions.
Her lawful trust income could be garnished according to court order.
Not all.
Enough.
The irony was precise.
The inheritance Victoria spent half her life chasing would now help repay people harmed by the crimes she committed while chasing inheritance.
Lily did not design that.
The law did.
Better.
Marcus lost most of his hidden assets.
The apartments sold.
The artwork sold.
The private aircraft interest sold.
The money returned to Sterling Meridian.
Lily used part to strengthen employee pensions.
No press event.
No giant check.
Just accounting.
One evening, she found the old blue cake photograph.
“Do you still think about that night?” I asked.
“Yes.”
“Victoria?”
“No.”
“The cake.”
I laughed.
“Why?”
“I never got any.”
So I ordered the same cake.
Blue frosting.
Three tiers.
No hidden documents.
Claire came.
Ruth came.
House staff came.
We ate it in the kitchen.
Lily cut the first slice.
Then deliberately dropped a little frosting onto the floor.
I stared.
She laughed.
“Relax.”
She cleaned it herself.
May you like
Choice changes the meaning of an action.
That lesson stayed with me.
