Chapter 14 - The Smear Campaign
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I picked up Chloe’s phone. My heart dropped into my stomach.
Damian had struck back, and he hadn't used bullets. He used something far more damaging to a young woman’s reputation.
He had gone live on the restaurant’s official social media pages, which had over fifty thousand followers. In the video, Damian was sitting in his office, a bandage over his temple, looking like a heartbroken, devastated victim.
“I never thought I would have to make a video like this,” Damian’s voice played through the phone speaker, oozing with fake tears. “My wife, Chloe Prescott, has been struggling with severe addiction and mental health issues for months. Today, she broke into my restaurant, assaulted me with a glass bottle, and stole over two hundred thousand dollars in cash from the company safe. I am begging the public—if you see her, call the police. She is dangerous and unstable.”
“He’s setting the narrative,” Robert growled, snatching the phone to watch the video. “He knows the FBI takes time to build a case. If local PD catches you first on an assault and grand larceny warrant, Elias Thorne’s corrupt cops in the precinct will get to you before the feds do.”
“He called me a thief!” Chloe cried out, her humiliation boiling over into pure anger. “After everything he stole from me!”
Suddenly, the apartment intercom buzzed.
We froze.
“Reynolds?” I whispered to Robert.
“He wouldn't buzz,” Robert said, pulling a licensed concealed firearm from his ankle holster. “He would use the emergency code.”
Robert crept to the door and checked the security monitor.
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Standing in the lobby wasn't Elias Thorne’s hitmen or the local police.
It was a young woman in a waitress uniform, holding a manila envelope.
