Chapter 12 - THE PRICE OF A LIE
Vanessa's lawyer called the photograph "meaningless." Graham said he knew Owen only as a vendor. By evening both had issued statements accusing Adrian of inventing a conspiracy to stop a legitimate sale.
"They've got a public-relations firm working overtime," Nora said. "Expect them to attack Emma."
"She's not a prop they get to drag onstage," Adrian replied.
"Then make sure you don't drag her there either."
Emma had her own attorney now, paid with savings from years of hard work. When Adrian offered to cover the bill, she thanked him and declined.
That night a reporter knocked at her mother's apartment in Crescent Harbor. Emma was there helping her mother fix a dripping faucet. The reporter claimed Emma had accepted cash to pretend Adrian needed help. He waved a copy of an unsigned contract through the open doorway.
"We'd like your side," he said.
"Then email my lawyer," Emma answered, shutting the door.
Her mother, Ruth, sat at the kitchen table with a hand pressed to her chest. "Are they going to take our home?"
"Not if the court can stop them."
"I meant those men who came around offering cash to move."
Emma went still. "What men?"
Ruth opened a drawer and produced an eviction packet with a handwritten note attached: ACCEPT TODAY OR LOSE EVERYTHING. Under the threat was a number for Bellweather Holdings.
Emma photographed it and sent it to Nora. Within minutes the attorney called back.
"That notice is dated before the board authorized any sale," Nora said. "They're acting like they already own the property."
"Because they think they will."
"There's more," Nora continued. "Graham filed an emergency motion. He says Adrian's recovery was faked to manipulate company stock."
Emma stared at her sleeping mother across the room.
May you like
"He's trying to make the truth look like the lie," she said.
"Yes. And the board meeting starts in fourteen hours."
