Chapter 2 — What Victoria Thought Emma Had Done
The damaged display stood near the ballroom stage.
It had been created for Victoria’s late daughter, Caroline.
Caroline had founded the children’s art program the gala supported.
She died five years earlier.
Every year, Victoria sponsored a memorial arrangement in her name.
This year’s display was elaborate.
A tall glass column.
White roses.
Blue orchids.
Small painted stars created by students.
And a bowl containing hundreds of handwritten messages from children who had received art scholarships.
Less than ten minutes earlier, one side of the display collapsed.
Water spilled across the marble.
Several flowers were crushed.
A container of blue floral dye tipped over.
When Victoria arrived…
Emma was kneeling beside it.
Blue dye was on her sleeve.
Flowers surrounded her.
And event assistant Elise Parker was saying:
“I saw her near it right before it fell.”
Victoria did not ask Emma what happened.
She did not ask whether anyone actually saw her touch the display.
She saw Caroline’s memorial damaged.
Then saw a child beside it.
Her grief became anger almost instantly.
Emma repeatedly said:
“I didn’t do it.”
Victoria responded:
“Then stop lying.”
Emma cried harder.
Several guests tried to calm Victoria.
But then she saw the silver bucket.
And made the decision everyone in the ballroom now regretted witnessing.
Richard returned carrying a tablet.
“I have the recording.”
Claire pulled a dry tablecloth around Emma’s shoulders.
“Play it.”
Victoria crossed her arms.
“You’ll see exactly what happened.”
Richard pressed play.
The footage began eleven minutes earlier.
The memorial display stood perfectly intact.
Emma was nowhere near it.
Then another child entered the frame.
A boy around ten years old.
He wore a navy suit.
Victoria’s expression changed immediately.
“Oliver?”
Claire looked toward her.
“Who is Oliver?”
Victoria did not answer.
Richard knew.
“Her grandson.”