Chapter 5 - The Woman Grant Called Unstable
Grant spent the day before the gala treating Vanessa like a fragile guest inside her own foundation.
He canceled her interview with a local television station.
He reassigned her place in the event program.
He even instructed the host to introduce her after Elise.
When Vanessa objected, Grant smiled patiently.
“You should enjoy the evening instead of managing it.”
“I am the foundation’s president.”
“And tomorrow, you can finally rest.”
His certainty frightened her.
That evening, Vanessa found Elise inside Caroline Hawthorne’s memorial office.
Elise stood beside a display case containing Vanessa’s mother’s handwritten journal, nursing badge and final photograph.
“You’re not allowed in here without permission,” Vanessa said.
Elise turned slowly.
“I was looking for the donor history.”
“In my mother’s personal office?”
“Grant said the files might be here.”
Vanessa noticed a keycard in Elise’s hand.
It belonged to the executive archive.
“Where did you get that?”
Elise slipped it into her purse.
“You should ask your husband.”
Then she looked at Caroline’s photograph.
“Your mother created a beautiful story for the foundation.”
“It isn’t a story.”
Elise smiled.
“Everything donors believe is a story.”
Vanessa stepped closer.
“Did Grant tell you I was stepping down?”
“He said you needed time.”
“I asked what he told you.”
Elise’s smile faded.
“You’re becoming upset.”
The phrase sounded rehearsed.
Grant had used it.
Two board members had used it.
Now Elise was using it.
They were not merely planning to replace Vanessa.
They were building a public narrative that she was unstable.
Vanessa let her shoulders fall.
She looked away and made her voice smaller.
“Maybe you’re right.”
Elise relaxed.
That was when Vanessa understood how to survive the next twenty-four hours.
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She had to let them believe their story was working.
👉 Vanessa pretended to break under the pressure, and Elise’s sudden confidence exposed exactly how much Grant had promised her.
