“Good.”
“Can we sue?”
“Possibly.”
“Do we need to?”
“Probably not.”
“Why?”
“Because Julian’s attorney just withdrew.”
I sat up.
“What?”
“He withdrew last night.”
“Why?”
“He learned about the recording.”
I smiled.
“Smart man.”
“Very.”
“And Julian?”
“Trying to find new counsel.”
“Good luck.”
Two hours later, a different story appeared.
Not from us.
From a local business publication.
VANCE DEVELOPMENT COO TERMINATED DURING DATA-THEFT INVESTIGATION.
That article had sources.
Board minutes.
Corporate filings.
Confirmation that Julian was no longer employed.
Then another story appeared.
POLICE REPORT CONFIRMS ALTERCATION AT HOSPITAL.
Eleanor’s slap was now public.
By lunchtime, the narrative had changed completely.
Julian stopped talking to reporters.
Eleanor stopped calling.
Silence was finally teaching them what arrogance had not.
PART 9
My body recovered slowly.
Painfully.
The first time my right foot moved, I cried so hard my physical therapist thought something was wrong.
Her name was Maya.
She stared at my toes.
“Do it again.”
