Chapter 12 - Vanessa Without an Audience
Vanessa's first court appearance drew cameras.
She entered expecting spectacle.
I didn't attend.
That disappointed her.
Daniel told me afterward she kept looking toward the gallery.
She wanted me there.
She wanted the confrontation.
The final stare.
The dramatic enemy.
I refused to give her one.
Evidence connected Vanessa to fraud, identity theft, conspiracy, unauthorized computer access, and other financial offenses.
Her attorneys contested several allegations.
The legal process would take time.
Martin Vale was detained overseas pending separate proceedings.
Graham continued cooperating.
Thomas faced investigation for his own conduct.
There was no magical five-minute ending.
Real consequences moved slower.
Documents.
Hearings.
Depositions.
Evidence.
But they moved.
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And for the first time, Vanessa couldn't control the story simply by speaking more convincingly than everyone else.
Facts were catching up.
