Chapter 8 - VICTORIA'S VERSION OF THE TRUTH
Victoria Hale did not disappear.
She went home.
By noon, reporters surrounded the gates of the Hale estate.
Someone from the wedding had posted a short video online.
It showed Lucy shouting.
Victoria lunging for the checks.
Ethan blocking her.
Nothing else.
No explanation.
No context.
Within hours, the story was everywhere.
BRIDE ACCUSED OF HIDING GROOM'S SECRET CHILD.
Victoria's public relations team responded immediately.
Her statement called Lucy's accusations “a deeply painful misunderstanding involving vulnerable people and disputed financial arrangements.”
Ethan watched the video from Olivia's hospital room.
“She called me vulnerable.”
Olivia almost laughed.
“That usually means someone is about to call you crazy.”
She was right.
Thirty minutes later, another story appeared.
Anonymous sources claimed Olivia had a history of emotional instability.
Another claimed she had extorted Victoria for money.
Then copies of old medical records appeared online.
Ethan stared at the screen.
“They leaked your records.”
Olivia's face drained.
Mason immediately began making calls.
The records documented anxiety treatment after Lucy's birth.
Nothing more.
But the headlines turned it into something ugly.
FORMER GIRLFRIEND'S TROUBLED PAST RAISES QUESTIONS.
Lucy entered carrying juice.
Ethan closed the laptop.
Too late.
She had seen the headline.
“They're saying Mom lied?”
Ethan stood.
“They're trying to control the story.”
“Why?”
“Because they can't control the evidence.”
Lucy looked angry.
“Can we show everyone the checks?”
“Eventually.”
“Why not now?”
“Because I want Victoria to keep making mistakes.”
Mason looked at him.
“That sounded almost like a lawyer.”
“I've had a bad influence.”
Mason almost smiled.
Then his phone rang.
He answered.
His expression changed.
“It's Victoria's attorney.”
Ethan held out his hand.
Mason hesitated.
Then passed him the phone.
“This is Ethan Pierce.”
Victoria herself answered.
“I wondered how long it would take you.”
Ethan walked toward the window.
“Why are you leaking Olivia's medical records?”
“I didn't.”
“Your foundation requested them yesterday.”
“Foundations have employees.”
“Stop.”
Silence.
Then Victoria's voice became colder.
“You embarrassed me.”
Ethan almost laughed.
“You paid the mother of my child to disappear.”
“I helped her.”
“You threatened her.”
“She told you that?”
“Yes.”
“And you believed her?”
“I saw the checks.”
“Olivia needed money.”
“For eleven years?”
“She kept taking it.”
Ethan looked at Olivia.
“She stopped cashing them four years ago.”
Victoria paused.
A small mistake.
But enough.
Ethan narrowed his eyes.
“How did you know she stopped?”
Victoria said nothing.
“You were monitoring the account.”
“Ethan.”
“You were watching her.”
“Do not make me the villain because you regret your own choices.”
“My choices?”
“You let Olivia leave.”
“You forced her.”
“I gave her an option.”
“Threatening her mother's medical treatment isn't an option.”
Another silence.
Then Victoria said something unexpected.
“I never touched her mother's treatment.”
Ethan looked at Robert.
“What?”
“Ask your father.”
Robert went rigid.
Victoria continued.
“Ask him who created those documents.”
The line went dead.
Ethan slowly lowered the phone.
Robert had heard enough to understand.
“What did she say?”
Ethan stepped closer.
“She said you created the medical debt threat.”
Robert's face collapsed.
Olivia stared at him.
“Is that true?”
Robert couldn't meet her eyes.
“Robert.”
She sounded weaker than before.
“Was Victoria lying?”
He whispered.
“No.”
Ethan felt physically ill.
“You threatened Olivia's mother's treatment?”
Robert's eyes filled with tears.
“Victoria said she needed leverage.”
“So you gave it to her.”
“I created documents suggesting Pierce Industries controlled the debt.”
Olivia stared at him in horror.
“My mother spent her final months thinking her treatment could disappear because of me.”
Robert covered his face.
“I know.”
“No, you don't.”
Olivia's voice broke.
“My mother died believing I had ruined your son's life.”
Robert started crying.
For the first time, Ethan felt no sympathy.
Then Lucy spoke from the doorway.
“You hurt my grandma too?”
Robert looked at her.
Lucy backed away.
“Don't come near me.”
She ran into the hall.
Ethan followed.
Behind him, Robert remained in the room with Olivia.
May you like
There were no excuses left.
Only consequences.
