Chapter 14 - The Betrayal
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Audrey looked up from her hands, her mascara smeared across her pale cheeks. A desperate spark of hope flared in her eyes. “A choice? Victor, please, we can just leave! We’ll disappear!”
“Shut up, Audrey,” the Judge snapped, his voice venomous. He didn't look at her with love; he looked at her with pure resentment for getting caught. He turned his desperate eyes back to me. “What is the choice, Victor?”
“Option one,” I began, holding up a single finger. “I hand the video of Audrey attempting murder, the confession from Dr. Vance, and your financial records directly to the FBI. You both go to federal prison for conspiracy to commit murder. And when the Russian mob realizes you are behind bars and their money is gone, they will kill you inside.”
The Judge swallowed hard, sweating profusely. “And option two?”
“Option two,” I smiled coldly. “I hand Audrey over to the police for the attempted murder of my mother. You testify against her. You claim you had absolutely no idea she was poisoning Sylvia, and you use your influence to ensure she gets the maximum sentence.”
“Dad, no!” Audrey shrieked, jumping up from the sofa. “You can't do that! You gave me the poison!”
“In exchange,” I continued, ignoring her screams, “I bury Dr. Vance’s confession. I keep your name entirely out of the murder investigation. And... I will anonymously wire four million dollars to the Russian syndicate to clear your debt. You walk away with your freedom, your gavel, and your life. But you lose your daughter.”
It was the ultimate test of a corrupt man's soul.
Audrey ran to her father, grabbing his trench coat. “Dad, don't listen to him! We can fight this! You know the district attorney! You can get the evidence thrown out!”
Judge Sterling looked down at his daughter. He looked at her frantic, weeping face. Then, he looked at the confession sitting on his lap, and the promise of a cleared debt from a billionaire mob boss.
He didn't even hesitate.
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Judge Sterling reached up, grabbed Audrey’s hands, and violently peeled them off his coat. He pushed her backward, letting her stumble to the floor.
“I had absolutely no idea my daughter was capable of such a horrific crime against your beloved mother, Victor,” the Judge said, his voice flat, devoid of any paternal affection. “I will gladly cooperate with the authorities to ensure justice is served.”
