Chapter 17 - THE AUDIT ENDS
Priya’s final report was ninety-six pages.
No one should have to read that much about family betrayal.
Final accounting:
Total transfers from me designated for Adeline/children support:
$248,300.
Direct payments reaching Adeline:
$72,900.
Documented expenses paid on her or the boys’ behalf:
$18,600.
Reasonable administrative costs legitimately allocable:
$9,800.
Remaining funds improperly redirected, retained, or used for unrelated purposes:
Approximately $147,000? Let's calculate: 248.3 -72.9 -18.6 -9.8 =147.0. Yes.
But not all personal benefit to Lucinda.
Of that:
$61,400 remained traceable in VFC reserves.
$47,200 went to Lucinda’s personal investment account.
$22,600 went to unrelated estate expenses.
$15,800 went to charitable/family reputation expenses lacking authorization to charge against support.
There.
Now the number became supported.
Still:
Recovered reserve could be restored.
Some estate expenses might create civil reimbursement claims rather than simple theft counts.
Prosecutors charged only portions they believed provable criminally.
The family court considered the broader accounting for support adjustment.
Then arrears.
Because I had intended to support the children and funds were diverted without Adeline receiving them, the court did not simply declare my obligation satisfied.
Nor did it make me pay every dollar twice immediately.
Parties negotiated.
Insurance.
Recovered funds.
Restitution.
Ongoing support.
A structured catch-up payment.
No instant financial magic.
I agreed to fund an escrow account administered independently for the boys’ overdue needs.
Dental work.
School costs.
Housing stabilization.
Not trust controlled by me.
Not Lucinda.
Independent.
Adeline approved disbursement categories.
Good.
Then my own guilt.
I wanted to pay far more.
Claire said:
“Do not turn money into apology.”
She was right.
May you like
Again.
Annoying profession.
