Chapter 12 - Family Reputation
The Mercer family cared deeply about appearance.
Not famous.
Not political dynasty.
Just wealthy enough that reputation had texture.
Ambrose owned a regional logistics company before retirement.
Board memberships.
Country club.
Charity committees.
People knew him.
When police interviewed relatives, Lysandra’s first instinct was:
“No press.”
I snapped.
“Callum is not a press problem.”
She looked ashamed.
There.
Habits.
Rafferty was better.
He told the family:
“Do not post anything. Not to protect Dad. To protect Callum.”
Different motive.
One cousin had already posted vague text:
Family should never confuse discipline with cruelty.
We asked her to delete.
She did.
No social-media campaign.
No leaked photo of kennel.
No fundraising page.
Callum did not become content.
Ambrose’s case became public record eventually.
That was enough.
Reputation is consequence.
May you like
Not a reason to use a child as evidence exhibit in every relative’s moral identity.
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