Chapter 12 - Under Oath
The courtroom was packed.
Blake walked to the witness stand.
Vale's attorney wanted one thing:
to prove Blake had knowingly participated in Project Crown.
If successful, Vale could argue that Blake—not Vale—had engineered the scheme.
Blake told the truth.
Even when it hurt him.
“Yes, I signed the documents.”
“Yes, I ignored warning signs.”
“Yes, I wanted the deal because I believed it would make me richer.”
“Did Evelyn Fairchild instruct you to participate?”
“No.”
“Did she know?”
“No.”
“Did Vanessa Cole tell you the structure was improper?”
“No.”
“Are you blaming everyone else because your wife discovered your affair?”
Blake looked toward Evelyn.
“No.”
“Then whose fault was it?”
Blake paused.
“My decisions were mine.”
The courtroom became silent.
Vale's lawyer tried again.
“You expect this jury to believe you were manipulated?”
“I was manipulated.”
Blake leaned toward the microphone.
“But manipulation worked because it appealed to things already wrong with me.”
Evelyn felt tears sting her eyes.
Blake continued.
“My greed. My arrogance. My belief that people who admired me mattered more than people who loved me.”
The attorney stopped smiling.
That testimony changed the trial.
Vanessa testified next.
Then Rachel.
Then Daniel.
Finally, Evelyn.
Weeks later, the jury returned.
Richard Vale was convicted on multiple financial charges.
Outside the courthouse, reporters surrounded Evelyn.
“Ms. Fairchild, do you feel vindicated?”
She thought about the question.
“No.”
“What do you feel?”
Evelyn looked toward Sophie waiting with Daniel.
“Ready to go home.”
The legal battle was over.
May you like
But her marriage still had one final day.
The divorce hearing was scheduled for Monday.
