Chapter 9 - The Confession of RyanBy three o’clock that afternoon, the federal courthouse in downtown Bridgeport was surrounded by press trucks.
I sat in a private consultation room on the third floor, drinking tea while Victoria reviewed the arraignment docket. Through the frosted glass windows of the door, I could hear the muffled sound of footsteps, ringing telephones, and low, hurried conversations among defense attorneys and federal prosecutors.
The door opened, and Julian Croft walked in, carrying his briefcase. He looked slightly less exhausted than he had the previous night, though his expression was serious.
“Ryan just signed a formal proffer agreement,” Julian said, closing the door behind him.
I set my tea down. “A proffer?”
“He’s giving up everything,” Julian explained, sitting down opposite me. “Once he saw his mother being brought into the federal holding facility in handcuffs on the afternoon news, his entire defense collapsed. He realized the prosecution wasn't bluffing.”
“What did he tell them?” Victoria asked, opening her notepad.
Julian pulled out a typed transcript summary. “Ryan admitted that Montgomery & Vance Capital was insolvent as early as eighteen months after you were married. He had taken on massive leveraged positions in European real estate right before the market turned. To cover the margin calls, he began using your trust fund as collateral for short-term loans.”
“And Patricia?” I asked.
“Patricia knew everything,” Julian said flatly. “In fact, according to Ryan’s statement, it was Patricia who suggested using your late father’s digital signature files to authorize the offshore transfers. She told Ryan that since you weren't actively involved in the financial management of Vance Design Group, you would never notice the missing capital.”
I shook my head, feeling a cold sensation in the pit of my stomach. It wasn't surprise—I had already known in my heart that they were capable of it—but hearing the cold, calculating details spelled out on paper still stung. They hadn't just stolen from me; they had viewed me as a gullible mark, a naive young woman to be manipulated and discarded once my resources were exhausted.
“What are the terms of his plea deal?” Victoria inquired.
“The U.S. Attorney is offering twelve years in federal prison if he pleads guilty to two counts of wire fraud and one count of conspiracy,” Julian revealed. “He’s also agreed to full restitution—which means every remaining asset owned by the Montgomery family, including Brandon’s holdings and Patricia’s personal jewelry, will be liquidated and placed into an escrow fund to reimburse your trust.”
“And if he doesn't take the deal?” I asked.
“He goes to trial on fourteen counts,” Julian replied simply. “And faces up to thirty-five years.”
The door opened again, and a court clerk stuck his head inside. “Ms. Vance? The magistrate judge is ready for the preliminary bail hearing.”
I stood up, smoothing the front of my dark charcoal suit.
“Are you ready for this?” Victoria asked softly, looking at me.
May you like
I looked at my reflection in the dark glass window of the office. The hesitant, uncertain woman who had spent five years trying to earn the approval of a toxic family was completely gone. In her place was my father’s daughter—a woman who knew exactly who she was and what she was worth.
“I’ve been ready for two days,” I said.
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