Chapter 9 - Candace’s Recording
Police arrived through the ballroom’s eastern entrance.
No sirens.
No spectacle beyond what Darnell had already created.
Detective Alicia Grant approached Lenora first.
She documented the redness forming around Lenora’s wrist and the pain in her hip.
Paramedics offered evaluation.
Lenora accepted.
Darnell scoffed.
“She fell.”
Five hundred faces turned toward him.
Detective Grant looked at the surveillance camera.
“We’ll determine that.”
Candace attempted to slip her phone into her purse.
A detective stopped her.
“Ma’am, do not alter the device.”
Candace looked at Darnell.
He avoided her eyes.
That frightened her more than the police.
She unlocked the phone voluntarily.
The most recent video began fifteen minutes before the shove.
It captured Darnell standing with Candace near a mirrored column.
Once Lenora signs the separation acknowledgment, he said, the remaining shares move tomorrow.
Candace asked, And if she refuses?
Darnell smiled.
She won’t refuse after I embarrass her in front of everyone.
Beverly’s voice entered from off camera.
Make sure she understands she has nowhere to go.
The recording continued.
Candace laughed.
Then asked when Darnell would announce their relationship.
Darnell said, After she’s removed from the house.
Now Candace stared at the screen as though watching another person.
“You said the company was yours.”
Darnell snapped, “It is.”
Mr. Vincent answered from across the room.
“Not for long.”
Candace began speaking quickly.
She claimed Darnell told her Lenora had stolen from the business.
She believed the transfers protected company assets.
Lenora studied her.
“Did you believe sleeping with my husband protected the company too?”
Candace lowered her eyes.
No one laughed.
The question was not theatrical.
It was exhausted.
Detective Grant preserved the recording.
Beverly placed her champagne flute on a nearby table and slowly stepped away from her son.
May you like
The collapse had begun.
Everyone who helped Darnell when he appeared powerful now wanted distance from him.
