Chapter 9 - Jennifer Turned Me Into the Other Woman
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By lunchtime, my photograph had been shared thousands of times.
Jennifer didn't accuse me directly.
She was smarter than that.
Instead, a gossip account published an anonymous statement claiming that Jack Thompson had been seen entertaining a mysterious married woman while his devoted wife was attending a private charity meeting.
The implication was obvious.
I was the mistress.
Jennifer was the betrayed wife.
And my husband, apparently, was the innocent victim.
I sat in Elena's office watching strangers discuss my marriage as though it were a television drama.
One woman commented:
She looks like the kind who chases rich men.
Another wrote:
Poor Jennifer. She does so much charity work.
I put my phone down.
“This is unbelievable.”
Elena studied the post.
“It's an attempt to discredit you.”
“It's working.”
“Public opinion isn't a court of law.”
“No, but it can destroy someone's reputation before a court ever hears the truth.”
My phone rang.
David.
I declined.
He called again.
Then a message arrived.
Jennifer says she can make this disappear if you stop investigating.
I showed Elena.
She immediately saved a copy.
“That's useful.”
I laughed bitterly.
“My marriage is falling apart, and everything is useful evidence.”
Elena looked at me sympathetically.
“I know this is painful. But he's giving us a record of his attempts to influence you.”
That evening, Jennifer appeared at a televised charity reception.
She wore an ivory gown and diamond earrings.
A reporter asked about the photographs.
Jennifer lowered her eyes.
“Marriage is complicated. I only ask that people respect our family's privacy.”
The reporter praised her dignity.
Then Jennifer added:
“Sometimes people are motivated by jealousy and financial desperation.”
I almost threw the remote across the room.
Financial desperation?
I was the one whose identity had been used without permission.
I was the one whose husband had transferred money to Jennifer's companies.
Yet somehow, she had turned herself into a victim.
Twenty minutes later, Jack called.
“I saw the interview.”
“Congratulations. Your wife deserves an acting award.”
He was silent for a moment.
Then he asked:
“Are you all right?”
I hadn't expected the question.
“No.”
It was the first honest answer I'd given anyone all day.
Jack's voice softened slightly.
“She's trying to force you into a public argument.”
“I know.”
“Don't give her one.”
“What would you suggest? Hiding in my house until everyone forgets?”
“No.”
He paused.
“Tomorrow night, Harbor Haven is holding its annual fundraising gala.”
I frowned.
“Jennifer's gala?”
“Yes.”
“Why are you telling me?”
“Because she'll be there. So will several people who approved the payments.”
I looked at the television, where Jennifer was smiling for the cameras.
“You want me to attend?”
“As an invited guest, with your attorney's knowledge. Nothing more.”
I laughed.
“Jack, half the city thinks I'm your mistress.”
“Then perhaps they should see us speaking about business in a room full of witnesses.”
I considered his proposal.
Then asked:
“Will your wife be expecting me?”
“No.”
For the first time that day, I smiled.
“Good.”
But an hour later, Elena received something far more serious than another gossip article.
An anonymous email containing a financial document.
It listed me as the controlling officer of Blue Lantern Holdings.
And the attached statement alleged that I had personally authorized the suspicious transfers.
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Jennifer wasn't merely trying to ruin my reputation.
She was preparing to make me responsible for the missing money.
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