Chapter 7 - The Shadow of Doubt
The public defense of Abigail sent shockwaves through the elite social circles of New England, but it also drew unwanted attention from the darker corners of her past.
Three days after the gala, Marcus Vance strode unannounced into Pedro’s private study, slamming a thick manila folder onto the mahogany desk.
"You need to see this, Pedro," Marcus said, his voice laced with urgent anxiety. "I ran a deeper background check on Abigail Hill following the gala incident. We have a massive liability on our hands."
Pedro frowned, leaning back in his chair. "What are you talking about, Marcus?"
"Her employment history," Marcus replied, flipping open the folder to reveal a series of legal documents and newspaper clippings from Boston. "She didn't just work as a private tutor. Four years ago, she was employed as a governess for a prominent political family in Massachusetts. The youngest child suffered a severe injury under her watch—a broken arm from a playground fall. The family sued her for gross negligence."
Pedro’s blood ran cold. He pulled the documents toward him, scanning the legal jargon. "The lawsuit was dismissed," Pedro noted, pointing to the final page.
"Because they settled out of court with a heavy non-disclosure agreement!" Marcus argued, leaning over the desk. "She fled Boston overnight, changed her references, and reinvented herself. Pedro, she has a history of trauma-adjacent employment where children get hurt under her supervision. If the press gets hold of this, Jacobs Global Finance will take a catastrophic PR hit."
Pedro sat in absolute silence, the papers burning his fingers. The protectiveness he felt toward Abigail clashed violently with the instincts of a man who managed risk for a living.
"Leave the folder, Marcus," Pedro said quietly, his voice hard.
"You're going to fire her, right?" Marcus pressed.
"I said leave the folder," Pedro repeated, his obsidian eyes locking onto his legal counsel with a warning that brook no further argument.
May you like
Marcus hesitated, muttered a warning under his breath, and left the study, closing the heavy oak doors behind him.
Pedro sat alone in the dim light of the afternoon, staring at the allegations against the woman who had brought his sons back to life. He knew he had to confront her.
