Chapter 9 - THE CHOICE THAT MONEY COULD NOT BUY
The first court hearing involving Victor Voss took place on a rainy Tuesday.
Catherine attended with her attorney. She looked smaller than she had at the party, dressed in a plain navy suit without the diamonds or the red lipstick.
Diane was not required to attend, but she went because she wanted to see the end of the story she had been dragged into.
Ravi sat several rows away.
He did not approach her.
During the hearing, the prosecutor described the stolen records, the attempted intimidation, and the payments made to corrupt officials. Catherine's testimony helped establish how Victor had used Elliot to access the hotel office.
When the judge asked whether Catherine had knowingly participated in the theft, she answered yes.
“I thought I was helping my father,” she said. “I didn't ask enough questions because I didn't want to know the answers.”
The prosecutor asked about Diane.
Catherine looked toward her.
“I chose her because I thought she was someone no one would defend. I thought she would be disposable.”
The courtroom fell quiet.
Diane felt her throat tighten.
Catherine continued. “I was angry because Ravi rejected me. I wanted to make him look cruel. I didn't care what happened to her. I was wrong.”
Diane did not nod. She did not smile.
She simply listened.
After the hearing, Catherine approached her in the courthouse corridor.
“I don't expect you to forgive me.”
“Good.”
Catherine accepted the answer.
“I wanted you to know that I told the truth.”
“Because you had to.”
“Yes,” Catherine said. “At first.”
She looked down.
“Then I realized I had spent my life thinking that being humiliated gave me the right to humiliate someone else.”
Diane studied her. “Don't do it again.”
“I won't.”
Catherine walked away.
***
Outside, Ravi was waiting near the steps.
“Do you want a ride?”
“No, thank you. Mrs. Alvarez is picking us up.”
He nodded. “Then I'll wait until she arrives.”
Diane looked at him. “You don't have to.”
“I know.”
Rain fell lightly around them.
“Did you really give the investigators everything?” she asked.
“Yes. The remaining records, the accounts, the names of the people who worked for me.”
“Even if it hurts you?”
“Especially if it hurts me.”
She watched his face. “What happens now?”
“I'll cooperate with the investigation. I'll close the businesses that cannot operate legally. I'll testify where necessary.”
“And the people who worked for you?”
“Some will leave. Some will face charges. Some may never forgive me.”
Diane nodded. “That sounds difficult.”
“It is.”
A car pulled up. Mrs. Alvarez waved from the driver's seat.
Diane opened the passenger door, then paused.
“Ravi?”
“Yes?”
“Thank you for keeping your promise about Sadi.”
He nodded. “I told you I would.”
She got into the car.
Ravi did not follow.
***
A week later, the landlord agreed to a payment plan after Diane picked up additional shifts at the hotel and secured a second part-time position at a small accounting office. She refused the money Ravi offered to place in an anonymous fund.
He did not argue.
Instead, he sent her the contact details of a nonprofit legal clinic that helped tenants negotiate overdue rent. Diane used the service and managed to keep the apartment.
The dental clinic gave Sadi a treatment plan with a manageable monthly payment. The school program offered a partial scholarship after Diane submitted the paperwork.
For the first time in two years, the numbers on the kitchen table began to look possible.
One evening, Sadi found Diane smiling at the bills.
“What's funny?”
“Nothing.”
“You're smiling.”
Diane looked at her sister. “I think we're going to be okay.”
Sadi hugged her. “I knew we would.”
Diane held her close.
May you like
She had not been rescued by a rich man.
She had been given room to stand on her own feet—and that was worth more than ten thousand dollars.
