Chapter 15 - Grace’s mistake becomes public
Victoria’s defense lawyers attacked Grace’s credibility.
Of course.
She returned under household employment.
Searched private files.
Copied documents.
Did not tell me immediately about Lily.
Those facts were real.
Grace wanted to hide them.
Her lawyer refused.
At a preliminary hearing, Grace testified:
“I came back partly to obtain evidence.”
“Without permission?”
“Yes.”
“You searched Mr. Cole’s father’s study?”
“Yes.”
“Were you employed as household staff at the time?”
“Yes.”
“So you abused your position?”
Grace swallowed.
“Yes.”
I hated hearing it.
Still true.
Then defense counsel asked:
“Were you planning to blackmail Nathan Cole?”
“No.”
“Expose him?”
“No.”
“Obtain money?”
“No.”
“What did you want?”
Grace looked at me.
“For him to believe me before his family got to tell the story first.”
There.
Emotionally understandable.
Legally still wrong.
The copied documents were not the only source.
Our independent forensic team preserved the originals under counsel supervision.
Company archives supplied matching copies.
Hensley produced records.
Marian testified.
Grace’s unauthorized search created risk.
It did not create the evidence.
Afterward she told me:
“I thought you’d hate me.”
“I was angry.”
“Difference?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because I don’t have to decide whether you’re entirely good before believing facts.”
She stared.
“Who are you?”
I almost smiled.
“Apparently therapy propaganda.”
This time she did smile.
Briefly.
May you like
Enough.
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