She turned toward the room, voice trembling.
“You all see this, right? She planned this. She wanted to destroy us. She’s been obsessed with punishing me for years.”
My mother moved beside her instantly.
“Madeline has always struggled emotionally,” Patricia said to the room. “As a family, we have tried to be compassionate.”
I almost admired the speed of it.
Cornered, they became a duet.
Courtney crying.
Patricia translating cruelty into concern.
Rebecca stepped forward.
“Mrs. Anderson, before you continue defaming my client in front of approximately sixty witnesses, you should know this entire dining room has security audio.”
My mother froze.
Charles added pleasantly, “Installed after the cranberry sauce incident.”
Another laugh, sharper now.
Courtney wiped at her eyes.
“You can’t record us without consent.”
Rebecca smiled.
“North Carolina is a one-party consent state, and the club’s posted security policy is visible at the entrance, the host stand, and the bar.”
Courtney looked around as if the walls had betrayed her.
Then Thomas Vail spoke.
“Patricia, you should leave.”
My mother’s face collapsed into insult.
“Thomas.”