Chapter 2 - The Crime They Rehearsed
The recovered video showed Victor placing chocolates near children from the hotel’s scholarship program, then accusing them of theft when they picked one up.
Each staged incident ended with a parent signing a confidentiality agreement to avoid arrest or losing financial aid.
Rebecca stared at him.
“You baited hungry children and called their fear evidence.”
Victor’s attorney arrived and claimed the recordings were part of a private security exercise.
Claire whispered, “He told me my mother would lose her hotel job if I spoke.”
Her mother, Angela, worked in housekeeping and had disappeared two days earlier after challenging unpaid overtime.
Victor smirked.
“Employees who cannot follow rules should not expect charity.”
Rebecca’s voice hardened.
“Wages are not charity. Neither is dignity.”
Payroll records showed hotel workers had funded the reception through mandatory deductions labeled “staff development.”
The flowers, champagne and imported chocolate had been purchased with money taken from cleaners and kitchen employees.
Then an agent opened Victor’s phone.
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A draft custody petition described Claire as dishonest and Angela as unstable.
It had been approved by a judge before the reception began.
