Chapter 4 - A CHECK WITH STRINGS
Emma didn't answer the message. She saved it, woke Lily, and checked the lock.
By morning, Vincent's outside attorney, Nora Bell, had asked for copies of the threat and the denial letter. She also offered to connect Emma with independent counsel.
“You represent him,” Emma said.
“Yes. You should have someone whose only client is you.”
It was the first thing anyone with an expensive office had said that made Emma trust them a little.
At noon, Paul called her back to the hotel to collect a written leave notice. A representative from human resources sat beside him, looking unhappy.
On the desk lay a second document and a check for twenty thousand dollars.
Emma stopped in the doorway.
Paul pushed the paper forward. “A clean exit. You acknowledge you misunderstood the situation. Everyone moves on.”
“Mr. Moretti said paid leave.”
“Owners say a lot of things in emotional moments. I'm trying to protect you.”
Twenty thousand dollars would pay the overdue balance at the hospital and keep Lily in school. Emma hated herself for knowing the exact amount that would remain.
She read the first paragraph.
It said Isabella had been agitated. It said Victoria had reached out to calm her. It said Emma regretted using unnecessary force.
“This didn't happen.”
Paul's voice cooled. “Think about your family.”
“I am.”
She photographed both pages and the check without touching them.
The human resources representative finally spoke. “Emma, you're entitled to take a copy before deciding.”
Paul shot her a look.
That look told Emma more than the document did.
She left with the unsigned papers. Near the service elevator, a busboy named Luis stepped out of a storage room.
“Don't turn around,” he murmured.
Emma kept walking.
“I filmed the auction entrance for my girlfriend. Victoria was behind the host table. I got the whole thing by accident.”
“The raised hand?”
“And what she said before it.”
Emma stopped beside a rack of folded tablecloths.
Luis swallowed. “I told Paul last night. He said delete it or lose my shifts.”
“Did you?”
May you like
He slipped his phone from his pocket.
“I deleted it from my phone,” he said. “He didn't ask about the backup.”
