Chapter 6 - The bruise on Ellen’s arm
The arm bruise predated the shove by forty minutes.
That was the part the corridor camera did not capture.
Ellen had gone into the bridal suite earlier to return Cassandra’s grandmother’s brooch after photographs.
Cassandra was arguing with a bridesmaid about table assignments.
Ellen entered.
Cassandra told the bridesmaid to leave.
Then asked Ellen:
“Why are you telling Robert we can’t afford our own wedding?”
Ellen said:
“Because Michael asked us for another twenty thousand dollars yesterday.”
Cassandra moved closer.
Apparently Ellen tried to leave.
Cassandra grabbed her upper arm.
Hard.
Not a strike.
A controlling grip.
Ellen pulled free.
She did not report it.
Why?
“She was stressed.”
That is what Ellen told me later.
“She was the bride.”
As if white satin granted temporary immunity from basic rules.
The bruise became visible by the corridor confrontation.
When Michael grabbed exactly the same arm, Ellen cried out.
The video captured that.
The earlier grip had one witness.
The bridesmaid who had not fully exited before it happened.
Her name was Paige Rourke.
She initially said she saw nothing.
Then changed her statement two days later.
Why?
Fear of losing Cassandra as a client.
Not fear of violence.
Work.
May you like
Reputation.
Ordinary pressure.
