Chapter 16 - The deleted message
The strongest evidence of Marcella’s plan came from Marcella herself.
Not hacked phones.
Not secret surveillance.
Civil discovery.
After Marcella filed a civil claim against me for battery and emotional damages, and Vane Holdings alleged economic intimidation in separate arbitration, relevant communications became discoverable.
One message to her longtime friend, Bianca Holt, dated three months before the gala:
If Alaric loses control in public, Victor finally has something real to use against the Devereux agreement.
Bianca:
Stop poking him. He has a kid.
Marcella:
The kid is exactly what makes him predictable.
I read that twice.
Another:
Celine used rules to put us under them. Alaric uses fear. I just need him to show it where witnesses can see.
Then:
He can’t stand anyone disrespecting the dead saint.
There.
No explicit:
I will hurt Elowen.
Then six weeks later:
She brings the photo everywhere. It’s grotesque. One day I’m going to throw it out a window.
Bianca:
You are fighting a seven-year-old. Listen to yourself.
Marcella:
I’m fighting Celine. The girl is carrying the flag.
That sentence ended any illusion this was accidental.
The child had been chosen because of what she represented.
The final message, morning of the gala:
Tonight either he proves he’s civilized or he proves Victor’s lawyers right.
There.
Did Victor know?
Not necessarily.
Did Victor’s lawyers instruct her?
No evidence.
In fact, later communications showed counsel repeatedly told Victor to avoid confrontation with me.
Marcella had taken a legal theory and turned it into personal bait.
Again:
May you like
No conspiracy necessary.
One determined person was enough.
