Chapter 9 - The Smear Campaign
Arthur’s statement was clean, polished, and brutal.
He claimed Rosa had harassed his family for years. He called the old deeds “fabricated documents.” He said Naomi’s viral video had been staged to pressure Whitmore Development into paying a settlement.
By sunset, strangers were calling Rosa a scammer.
By eight, someone had spray-painted LIAR across her flower cart.
Rosa stood on the sidewalk staring at the red letters.
Naomi arrived with cleaning supplies. “Don’t read the comments.”
“I already did.”
“Rosa.”
“One woman said I should go back where I came from.”
Naomi’s face tightened. “You were born in Milwaukee.”
“I know.” Rosa almost smiled. “Apparently she doesn’t.”
They scrubbed together.
An hour later, Celeste walked up.
Rosa stiffened.
Celeste wore jeans, a plain black sweater, and no makeup. She looked like a different person.
“I came to apologize.”
Naomi folded her arms. “For which part?”
“The flowers. The way I spoke to her. My father’s statement.”
“Did you approve it?” Rosa asked.
“No.”
“Did you publicly deny it?”
Celeste hesitated.
Rosa nodded. “Then you approved it with your silence.”
That landed.
Celeste looked down at the wet pavement. “You’re right.”
A man in a gray suit approached from across the street.
Celeste noticed him and went rigid.
“Who is that?” Naomi asked.
“My father’s head of security. Brent Cole.”
Brent stopped ten feet away. “Ms. Whitmore. Your father wants you home.”
“I’m not going.”
“He was clear.”
“So am I.”
Brent looked at Rosa. “This woman is manipulating you.”
Rosa picked up a bucket of dirty red paint water.
Brent frowned. “What are you doing?”
“Thinking.”
“About what?”
“How expensive your suit is.”
Naomi choked back a laugh.
Brent stepped closer.
Celeste moved in front of Rosa. “Back off.”
His phone rang.
He answered, listened, then looked at Rosa with sudden satisfaction.
“Police are on their way.”
“For what?” Naomi asked.
May you like
Brent smiled.
“To arrest her.”
