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CHAPTER 113: STEPPING BACK
publish date:
2026-08-29 15:23:41
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The Billionaires Greatest Regret CHAPTER 113: STEPPING BACK
POV: Vivienne Ashford "I want to plan something special, to properly mark moving past this difficult chapter," Vivienne said, several weeks after the parole hearing's resolution, the family finally settling back into their comfortable, established rhythm. "Perhaps a proper family trip, somewhere none of us have visited before." "I vote for somewhere with good sailing conditions," Leo said immediately, his engineering enthusiasm extending naturally toward his continued passion for maritime pursuits. "I vote for somewhere with genuine theatrical culture," Maya countered. "London, maybe, so I can see real professional productions." "Boats and plays," Grace offered helpfully, apparently seeing no reason her siblings' interests couldn't simply combine into a single destination requirement. Roman laughed at his children's characteristically distinct priorities. "What about London specifically? It offers considerable maritime history for Leo, genuine theatrical culture for Maya, and I i
The Billionaires Greatest Regret CHAPTER 112: DENIED
POV: Vivienne Ashford "The recess is expected to last several hours, possibly extending into tomorrow, given the complexity of the testimony presented today," Arthur reported, finding Vivienne and Roman in the courthouse's small waiting area, both of them exhausted from the morning's difficult proceedings. "The board takes these decisions seriously, particularly given the severity and complexity of Mrs. Ashford's original crimes." "I don't know how to occupy myself, waiting for something this significant," Vivienne admitted, the particular anxious helplessness of the situation settling heavily over her despite her considerable accumulated experience managing exactly this kind of difficult uncertainty. "Perhaps we should simply be present with each other, rather than trying to distract ourselves," Roman suggested, and they spent the following hours in quiet conversation, occasionally joined by Whitfield and Caius, the shared experience of the morning's difficult testimony creating i
The Billionaires Greatest Regret CHAPTER 111: THE HEARING
POV: Vivienne Ashford The parole board hearing room carried a considerably more subdued atmosphere than the courtroom Vivienne remembered from Eleanor's original trial, a smaller, more clinical space with five board members seated behind a long table, considerably less theatrical than the dramatic public proceedings that had once defined this family's most difficult legal battles. Eleanor entered escorted by corrections officers, and Vivienne felt her breath catch at the sight of her, considerably aged since their last direct encounter years earlier, her once immaculate composure replaced by something more genuinely subdued, though Vivienne remained cautious about interpreting that outward change as evidence of authentic internal transformation. "Mrs. Ashford," the board's chairperson began, addressing Eleanor directly, "you've petitioned this board for parole consideration, citing good behavior and completion of rehabilitation programming throughout your incarceration. Before we p
The Billionaires Greatest Regret CHAPTER 110: PREPARING TESTIMONY
POV: Vivienne Ashford "I want to make sure our written statements reflect complete honesty," Vivienne said, reviewing the draft victim impact statement Arthur's legal team had helped prepare, spread across the study desk alongside Roman's own considerably shorter, more emotionally raw draft. "Not simply the facts of what she did, but the genuine, lasting impact on this family, including everything Leo, Maya, and even Grace have had to navigate as a result." "I keep struggling with how much to include about my own complicated feelings toward her," Roman admitted, reviewing his draft with evident frustration. "I don't want the statement to read as simple, uncomplicated hatred, because that's not entirely honest. But I also don't want to suggest sympathy that might undermine the genuine severity of what she did." "I think honesty itself is the answer," Vivienne said gently. "Include the complexity. The parole board has likely heard countless statements from victims navigating exactly
The Billionaires Greatest Regret CHAPTER 109: TELLING THE CHILDREN
POV: Vivienne Ashford "Mama, I know something's going on that you and Papa aren't telling us," Leo said, finding Vivienne in the study one evening, his characteristic directness cutting through her attempt at composed normalcy. "You've both been different this week. Quieter, more serious. Is it about Grandma Eleanor?" Vivienne set down her papers, recognizing the particular moment had arrived where honesty, once again, needed to override her protective instinct toward delayed disclosure. "It is," she confirmed. "There's a hearing in a few weeks. She's requesting parole, which means the possibility of release before her full sentence concludes." Leo absorbed this with visible seriousness, working through the implications with his usual careful attention. "Do you think she should be released?" "I honestly don't know," Vivienne admitted. "That's part of why your father and I have been so preoccupied. We're trying to figure out how to respond honestly, given everything she did, while
The Billionaires Greatest Regret CHAPTER 108: THE PAROLE PETITION
POV: Vivienne Ashford"There's a letter from the Department of Corrections that requires your attention," Arthur said, entering Roman's office with a formal envelope that immediately shifted the room's atmosphere, both Roman and Vivienne recognizing the particular weight such correspondence typically carried. "Eleanor's attorney has filed for a parole hearing, citing good behavior throughout her incarceration and completion of several rehabilitation programs."Roman's expression hardened considerably as he read the formal notification. "She's served eleven years of an eighteen year sentence. I didn't realize parole eligibility arrived this early.""Given time served and behavioral credits, she became eligible eighteen months ago, though this is the first formal petition she's filed," Arthur explained. "The hearing is scheduled for six weeks from now. As victims directly impacted by her crimes, you're entitled to submit victim impact statements, and the parole board typically gives tho
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