The Trial of Victor Cross
Chapter 17 - The Trial of Victor Cross
The trial lasted four months.
Prosecutors presented the altered incorporation papers, Daniel’s recordings, Owen Lask’s testimony, the emergency call, the planted evidence, and the orders connected to the garage fire.
Roland Pike accepted a plea agreement and testified that Victor instructed him to delay medical assistance after Daniel’s crash until the metal case and notebook were recovered.
Daniel died before the ambulance arrived.
Victor never confessed.
He described every action as protection of shareholders, employees, or company stability. His lawyers argued that aggressive decisions looked criminal only because unsuccessful partners wanted revenge.
Then Elias testified.
Victor’s attorney tried to portray him as jealous.
“You remained a mechanic while Mr. Cross became a global industrial leader. Did that not humiliate you?”
Elias considered the question.
“It did.”
The courtroom shifted.
The attorney smiled.
“So resentment motivated your accusations.”
“No. Resentment motivated my silence. I thought admitting he had fooled me would make me smaller. That pride gave him years he did not deserve.”
The answer removed the weapon from the attorney’s hand.
Sofia testified about the marriage contract and Dominic’s deception. Dominic testified about the planted evidence and the files in Victor’s office.
Victor watched his son with open contempt.
During closing arguments, the prosecutor displayed the wedding video.
Dominic appeared in his red suit, towering over Elias beside the limousine.
“This case began long before that shove,” the prosecutor said. “But the moment shows how corruption travels. One generation steals ownership. The next believes ownership includes the right to humiliate.”
The jury convicted Victor of fraud, conspiracy, obstruction, arson, and responsibility for Daniel Bennett’s death.
Roland received a separate sentence.
Victor was also stripped of all shares obtained through the fraudulent transfer.
Outside the courthouse, reporters asked Elias whether justice felt satisfying.
He looked at Sofia, then at Dominic standing alone behind the crowd.
“Justice is not a feeling,” Elias said. “It is the work that begins after the verdict.”
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The statement became the headline.
For once, Victor Cross’s name appeared beneath someone else’s words.
