She knew there would be legal proceedings, financial recovery efforts, and difficult conversations ahead.
But she also knew that she no longer needed to carry the burden alone.
***
Richard eventually requested a private meeting.
Victoria initially refused.
Daniel advised her not to meet him without appropriate safeguards, especially given the assault and the ongoing financial investigation.
But Richard continued asking.
He said he wanted to apologize.
He said he wanted to explain.
And he said he wanted one final opportunity to speak as her brother.
Victoria agreed to a meeting at Daniel's office, with Daniel present.
Richard arrived fifteen minutes early.
He looked different.
His expensive watch was gone.
His suit was less impressive.
There were dark circles beneath his eyes.
He sat across from Victoria.
For several moments, neither spoke.
Finally, Richard began.
"I didn't think things would go this far."
Victoria looked at him.
"They went this far because of your decisions."
He nodded slowly.
"I know."
Daniel remained silent.
Richard looked down at his hands.
"I made mistakes."
Victoria waited.
"I was under pressure. The company was struggling. Investors were threatening to leave. We had debts that needed to be paid."
"Why didn't you tell me?"
Richard sighed.
"Because I didn't want you to think I had failed."
Victoria looked at him.
"So you used my name instead?"
He lowered his eyes.
"I thought I could fix everything before anyone noticed."
"How?"
"By replacing the money."
"With what?"
Richard did not answer.
Victoria shook her head.
"You were gambling with money that didn't belong to you."
"I wasn't trying to steal it."
"That doesn't change what happened."
Richard rubbed his forehead.
"I know."
He looked at her.
"And the gala..."
Victoria's expression hardened.
Richard continued.
"I shouldn't have hit you."
"No."
"I lost control."
"You chose to hit me."
He looked down.
"I know."
Victoria leaned back.
"Do you understand what that did to me?"
Richard remained silent.
"You humiliated me in front of people who had done nothing but respect me. You struck me while I was wearing the uniform I had worked years to earn. And when Mom defended you, you stood there as if you had every right to do it."
Richard's eyes became wet.
"I was angry."
"That is not an excuse."
"I know."
Victoria watched him carefully.
For the first time, he seemed to understand that she was not going to comfort him.
He continued.
"I thought everyone was looking down on me. I thought you had come there to show off."
Victoria shook her head.
"I came to attend a veterans' ceremony."
"I know that now."
"You knew it then."
Richard did not respond.
Victoria continued.
"You were embarrassed because you thought I was more important than you. So you tried to make me feel small."
Richard looked at her.
"Maybe."
She took a slow breath.
"Why?"
He stared at the floor.
"Because Dad was always proud of you."
Victoria frowned.
"What?"
Richard's voice became quieter.
"He talked about you constantly. Your career. Your promotions. Your achievements. Every time you came home, he wanted to know what you were doing."
Victoria looked at him.
"He was proud of you too."
Richard shook his head.
"Not in the same way."
Victoria remained silent.
He continued.
"I built the company because I wanted him to be proud of me. I wanted to prove I could do something on my own. But the business struggled, and I couldn't admit it."
"Then you should have asked for help."
"I know."
"You could have told me."
"I didn't want your help."
Victoria stared at him.
"Why?"
Richard looked up.
"Because I didn't want to owe you anything."
For several seconds, Victoria said nothing.
Then she nodded slowly.
"That's the real problem, Richard. You would rather hurt me than admit you needed help."
He lowered his eyes.
"I know."
He reached into his jacket and placed a small envelope on the table.
"What is that?" Victoria asked.
"A copy of some documents I found."
Daniel picked it up and examined the contents.
Richard looked toward Victoria.
"They show where some of the money went."
Victoria frowned.
"Why are you giving them to me?"
"Because I should have done this months ago."
Daniel examined the pages.
His expression changed.
"These are internal communications."
Richard nodded.
"They include messages between Martin and Edward."
Daniel looked at him.
"Why weren't these provided during the initial review?"
Richard hesitated.
"Because I was afraid."
"Afraid of what?"
Richard looked toward Victoria.
"Because they show that Martin was responsible for arranging the Northbridge transfers. He told me the money was going into a legitimate investment."
Daniel continued reading.
"Did you know the company was controlled through an offshore structure?"
Richard shook his head.
"Not at first."
"And when did you discover it?"
Richard looked down.
"After Dad died."
Victoria stared at him.
"You knew?"
"I found out that Martin had moved some of the money into another account. I confronted him. He told me everything would be returned."