Chapter 6 - THE SIXTY GUESTS
The strangest consequences came from the party guests.
One sent flowers.
Rebecca returned them.
Another sent $10,000 anonymously.
She donated it.
A judge’s wife wrote:
I laughed because everyone else laughed. I am ashamed.
Rebecca kept that letter.
Not because she forgave her.
Because at least it contained the truth.
Then one guest did something unexpected.
Senator Michael Avery requested a meeting.
Rebecca nearly refused.
He had been standing twelve feet away when she hit the water.
He had laughed.
She remembered.
He admitted it.
“I looked at Genevieve.”
He said.
“And I calculated what helping you might cost me.”
Rebecca stared.
“Then Clementine asked why none of us were strong enough.”
His face fell.
“I realized exactly what I was.”
Cowardice wearing a tuxedo.
Michael later withdrew from a development arrangement connected to Genevieve’s relatives.
Not because Rebecca demanded it.
Because he no longer wanted the association.
Others followed.
The party did not destroy anyone overnight.
But it changed loyalties.
Powerful people are often brave only after someone else proves bravery is socially acceptable.
May you like
Clementine had done that at four.
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