Chapter 32 - The Mother's Plea
The deposition was a massacre. Richard Kensington’s legal team practically dragged him out of our office, realizing that going to trial against the shadow ledger would result in catastrophic federal prison sentences. They were cornered, and the only play they had left was to beg for a settlement.
But Victoria Kensington, Richard's wife and Juliet's mother, decided to make one final, desperate play for control.
Juliet was scheduled to attend a mandatory psychological evaluation at a neutral clinic downtown, a standard procedure requested by the defense to challenge her competency. I accompanied her, ensuring Daniel’s security team cleared the perimeter.
As we exited the clinic and walked toward our waiting SUV, a black town car abruptly pulled up to the curb. Victoria stepped out, wearing large sunglasses and a designer coat, looking frantic.
"Juliet!" Victoria cried out, rushing across the sidewalk. "Juliet, please! You have to listen to me!"
Juliet froze, her entire body tensing with sudden, paralyzing fear. The psychological hold of a mother is incredibly difficult to break.
I immediately stepped forward, placing myself physically between Victoria and Juliet. "Mrs. Kensington, you are violating a protective order. Step back immediately."
"Get out of my way, you vulture!" Victoria hissed, her elegant facade dropping to reveal the vicious enabler beneath. She tried to reach around me. "Juliet! Your father is having a nervous breakdown! If you don't drop this lawsuit, the stress will kill him! Is that what you want? To be a murderer?"
The sheer cruelty of the manipulation made my blood boil. It was the exact same script my own mother had used.
"He is suffering the consequences of his own theft," I stated loudly, keeping my stance absolute and unyielding. "Do not project his crimes onto your daughter."
Juliet took a trembling breath from behind me. Then, to my immense pride, she stepped out from my shadow and faced her mother.
"He didn't care if the stress killed me, Mom," Juliet said, her voice shaking but growing stronger with every word. "He stole my future. And you stood by and watched him do it so you could keep your country club memberships. I am not dropping the suit. You are both dead to me."
Victoria gasped, clutching her chest as if she had been physically struck. "You ungrateful little brat..."
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"Daniel," I signaled to our head of security, who was already moving forward. "Escort Mrs. Kensington back to her vehicle. If she resists, call the police."
Juliet and I got into our SUV. As we drove away, Juliet let out a massive, shuddering breath, crying tears of profound relief. The final chain was broken.
