Chapter 7 - The Diamonds
Victoria called the payment a consulting fee.
Arthur opened the expense records.
The twenty-four million dollars had funded a Manhattan apartment, private travel and several items of jewelry.
Eleanor looked at Victoria’s diamond necklace.
“Did my staff pay for that?”
Victoria touched the stones instinctively.
“The foundation purchased ceremonial assets.”
Leah almost laughed.
A housekeeper’s retirement became a ceremonial asset once diamonds were involved.
Arthur ordered an immediate valuation.
The necklace.
The earrings.
The bracelets.
All had been charged to the stewardship fund.
Victoria’s voice sharpened.
“You will not humiliate me in front of these people.”
Eleanor looked at her.
“You tried to slap me in front of them.”
Silence.
Arthur instructed the foundation attorney to place the jewelry into restitution review.
Victoria would not be physically stripped of anything.
But she could no longer sell, transfer or hide the pieces.
Their value would be returned to employee accounts.
One of the retired workers began crying softly.
Her husband had died after delaying medical treatment because his retirement distribution never arrived.
The diamonds around Victoria’s neck were worth more than the amount he had been denied.
Leah looked away.
This was not revenge.
No public shame could return the years workers lost.
But for once, luxury would be sold before a working family was asked to sacrifice again.
Then Arthur discovered his own annual distributions had also been paid from the fund.
He went still.
Eleanor looked at him.
“How much?”
May you like
Arthur could barely answer.
“Twelve million over nine years.”
