Chapter 8 - Leah
Naomi called her sister immediately.
Leah was safe.
Annoyed.
Confused.
No one had approached her.
That was the point.
The photo was not violence.
It was a message.
We can see you.
Adrian wanted private security on Leah.
Naomi refused at first.
Then reconsidered.
Not because she was afraid for herself.
Because threats changed risk.
She called a former colleague, Tessa Morgan.
Two-person rotation.
Low profile.
No drama.
Adrian paid.
Naomi made him sign an agreement that the security reported to her, not him.
He almost smiled.
“Control issues?”
“Experience.”
Meanwhile, Vanessa released a statement.
Naomi Bennett, a household employee with a history in private security, initiated physical contact with Vanessa Sterling during a private family event.
Technically true.
Naomi had caught her ankle.
The video answered the rest.
But online, fragments spread faster than evidence.
Vanessa posted a still image.
Naomi’s hand around her ankle.
Caption:
THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED.
Caleb saw it.
He posted nothing.
Smart.
Rachel Kim, the family attorney, told everyone:
“Do not litigate on social media.”
Then someone leaked Naomi’s old employment records.
Executive protection.
Threat assessment.
Security contracts.
Vanessa’s narrative changed.
She was not a maid.
She was planted.
A spy.
Adrian confronted Evelyn.
“Did you hire Naomi to spy?”
“No.”
“Did you ask her to watch Vanessa?”
“Yes.”
“After she already worked here?”
“Yes.”
Naomi stepped in.
“I took a separate contract.”
Adrian stared.
“You hid that from me.”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Because your mother did not trust your judgment.”
Evelyn winced.
Naomi did not soften it.
Adrian looked at his mother.
“Was she wrong?”
Silence.
That was the answer.
Then the forensic accountant called.
A new account had surfaced.
Name:
Crown Harbor Strategies.
Balance:
$1.2 million.
Authorized signers:
May you like
Graham Pike.
And Vanessa Sterling.
