Chapter 23 - MARIETTA’S FINAL HEARING
The final civil hearing began with Marietta’s best defense.
Cecily’s real texts.
Blood heirlooms.
Estate threats.
Frustration with me.
Marietta’s lawyer argued:
“My client did not invent a family hierarchy from nothing. She grew up inside one.”
True.
Then:
“Cecily repeatedly communicated that family wealth was conditional on behavior.”
True.
Then:
“She relied on flexible oral gifting instructions for years.”
Also true.
Then:
“Many transactions Weston initially called theft were authorized or benign.”
True.
I hated how many true sentences fit into a defense.
That is what courts are for.
Then the lawyer asked:
“Did Marietta personally enrich herself substantially?”
No.
“Did she alter Cecily’s will?”
No.
“Did she drain investment accounts?”
No.
“Did she take custody of Aubrielle’s education account?”
No.
Good.
Narrow.
Then:
“Did she believe she had discretion to redirect unused gifts?”
She said yes.
Then cross-examination.
Naomi? Cecily’s lawyer handled, not Naomi maybe. I can simplify calling attorney Rachel. But we have Naomi. She could represent Cecily in civil case? I have her but conflict? She previously my attorney, could not also represent Cecily if interests differ. Better Cecily has independent attorney, Marcus Levin. We haven't named. Fine. He can question.
“Did Cecily’s written gift plan name Aubrielle?”
“Yes.”
“Did it provide equal education allocations?”
“Yes.”
“Did Weston tell you to reject the $1,500 deposit?”
“I recall a call where he sounded done with Mom’s help.”
“Did he say redirect it to Livia?”
“No.”
“Did Cecily?”
“I believed so.”
“Where is that authorization?”
“Verbal.”
Then fake message.
“If Weston chooses Aubrielle over this family, he can live without my money.”
“Did Cecily write that?”
“No.”
“Did you create an image making it appear she did?”
“Yes.”
“Did you send it to Weston?”
“Yes.”
Silence.
“Why?”
Marietta cried.
“Because he never listened when I told him what Mom really thought.”
There.
So she manufactured certainty.
Then:
“Did you alter the ‘blood granddaughter’ message?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because Mom was too cowardly to say directly what she said privately.”
Cecily flinched.
That was Marietta’s core defense:
I lied in form.
Not meaning.
Then:
“Did you move Aubrielle’s bicycle?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“She did not need another expensive gift.”
“Who decided?”
“I did.”
There.
No authority.
Then:
“Did you relabel birthday gifts?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“I was tired of watching Livia sit there while everyone celebrated Aubrielle like she was the center of the family.”
“It was Aubrielle’s birthday.”
Marietta started crying harder.
“I know.”
That was the tragedy.
She knew.
Then:
“Did Livia ask you to take the gifts?”
“No.”
“Did Cecily?”
“No.”
“Did Weston?”
“No.”
“Did Aubrielle?”
“No.”
The choices were hers.
Family culture explained.
Did not excuse.
Then court recessed.
May you like
The next day would bring Cecily.
And she would have to admit her part without letting Marietta turn admission into authorization.
