CHAPTER 3: The Truth Money Couldn't Buy
CHAPTER 3: The Truth Money Couldn't Buy
Damien looked at Chloe.
Then at Headmaster Grant Ellison.
Then across the ballroom filled with donors, executives, and parents.
"I asked one question."
His voice remained perfectly steady.
"Who allowed a pregnant woman asking for medical help to lie on this floor?"
Nobody spoke.
Headmaster Ellison swallowed hard.
"There has been... a misunderstanding."
Damien nodded once.
"So let's understand it."
One of his men quietly wheeled a television monitor into the room.
Another connected a small device.
Vincent Hale stepped forward.
"The hallway cameras weren't broken," he said.
"They were disconnected."
He pressed a button.
Security footage filled the screen.
Someone gasped.
The recording clearly showed Chloe entering the restroom.
Moments later, she removed the diamond watch from her wrist, slipped it into the side pocket of Maren's trash bag while Maren worked with her back turned, then calmly walked away.
The ballroom erupted with shocked whispers.
A second video appeared.
It showed Chloe deliberately spilling the matcha drink the previous day.
Another showed her mocking Maren in the hallway while Paige and Sloane recorded everything.
Vincent looked toward the headmaster.
"We recovered the deleted files from the school's server this morning."
Ellison's face turned white.
"You... hacked the system?"
Vincent smiled faintly.
"No."
"The board chairman invited us."
At that moment, an elderly man entered through the side doors.
It was Charles Winslow, chairman of Briarwell Academy's governing board.
He looked at the crowd with visible disappointment.
"I received anonymous complaints about bullying months ago."
His eyes settled on Ellison.
"You buried every report because you didn't want to upset wealthy donors."
Ellison lowered his head.
Security officers from the Boston Police Department entered the ballroom.
Chloe's parents began shouting.
Their lawyers threatened lawsuits.
May you like
None of it mattered anymore.
The evidence had already spoken.
