Chapter 7 - Desperate Measures
Two weeks after the press conference, the fallout had completely devastated the Mitchell family. Stripped of their wealth, social standing, and corporate backing, they were forced to vacate their estate.
However, desperation often breeds toxicity.
One rainy evening, as I was working in my private study at the Carter estate, Sarah entered the room with a look of concern.
"Mrs. Carter, we have a situation," Sarah said softly. "Patricia Mitchell is at the security gate. She has been standing outside in the rain for two hours, refusing to leave. She demands to speak with you."
I looked up from my documents. "Did she come alone?"
"Yes, ma'am. She looks... frantic."
I paused for a moment before nodding. "Bring her in. But keep security nearby."
A few minutes later, Patricia was escorted into the study. The contrast between the woman standing before me and the arrogant matriarch from Belle Meade was staggering. Her designer clothes were rumpled, her hair soaked, and her eyes hollow with desperation.
"Eleanor," Patricia choked out, sinking to her knees right on the Persian rug of my office. "I beg of you... have mercy."
"Get up, Patricia," I said plainly. "Begging does not suit you."
"We have lost everything!" Patricia wept, trembling uncontrollably. "The bank seized our cars! The estate is being sold at auction tomorrow! George is facing federal fraud investigations because of the loan applications! And Vanessa... Vanessa tried to take her own life last night with sleeping pills!"
My expression softened slightly at the mention of Vanessa’s distress, but my voice remained firm. "Is she safe?"
"She’s in the hospital... but her mind is broken, Eleanor!" Patricia cried, reaching out her hands. "The internet is destroying her! People follow her everywhere, shouting at her, throwing water on her! She can't leave her room! We are completely ruined! Please, I am begging you as a mother... pull back the lawsuits! Issue a statement saying you forgive us! Give us a chance to survive!"
I stood up from my desk and walked over to the window, looking out at the rain pouring over my gardens.
"Patricia," I said softly. "When I was kneeling in the mud on your lawn, drenched in cold water, you didn't see a human being. You saw a beggar who was ruining your photos. Did you think about my dignity then? Did you think about how your actions affected my soul?"
"I was wrong! We were all wrong!" Patricia sobbed.
"Forgiveness is something I can give in my heart, Patricia," I said, turning back to face her. "But consequences are something created by your own choices. You built a life on arrogance, deceit, and cruelty. The storm you are facing now was brewed by your own hands."
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"So you won't help us?" Patricia asked, her voice cracking with despair.
"I will cover Vanessa’s medical bills anonymously," I stated calmly. "Because unlike your family, I do not wish harm upon anyone. But as for your fortune and your social status... they are gone. Use this rock bottom to teach your daughter how to be a human being."