“Dana Mercer. I represent Nora’s interests today.”
The room shifted again.
For the first time, Margaret seemed uncertain.
Not frightened, not yet, but surprised that I had arrived with more than hurt feelings.
Charles set his jaw.
“No one wants lawyers involved.”
“Then no one should create records worth preserving,” Dana said.
Her voice was mild enough to make the words land harder.
“Nora has not posted the video. She has not contacted anyone in the press. She has not made accusations beyond what happened in front of sixty guests. She came here because Charles requested a family meeting.”
She paused.
“That restraint should not be mistaken for weakness.”
The phrase settled into the room like dust in sunlight.
Margaret’s eyes narrowed at me.
“So this is what you wanted,” she said. “To humiliate me.”
June stirred, her tiny mouth searching in sleep.
I laid a hand against her back and felt my own breathing steady.
“No,” I said. “Yesterday, you had an audience. Today, I wanted accountability.”
“For a necklace?” she snapped.
“For a pattern.”
My voice did not shake.
