Chapter 4 - DANIEL MERCER WAS THE BAIT
Daniel and his wife, Grace, came to Samuel’s office the next morning.
Grace did not sit.
She placed three photographs on the table.
The same images Edmund had shown the crowd.
Daniel said:
“They’re edited.”
Clara looked closer.
Not digitally fabricated.
Misleadingly cropped.
The original photograph of Daniel handing Clara a folder included four contractors standing three feet away.
The image of Clara touching Daniel’s arm was taken after he nearly slipped on wet stone.
Grace had the full sequence because she was there.
The third photo, showing Clara entering the east wing with Daniel, omitted Grace entering six seconds later.
Samuel asked:
“Who took these?”
Daniel answered:
“Estate security.”
Clara stared.
“Security follows me?”
Daniel looked uncomfortable.
“Apparently.”
Then Grace said:
“There’s more.”
Daniel had been instructed by Edmund to schedule private meetings with Clara.
He refused.
Edmund became angry.
Two weeks later, someone sent Daniel an anonymous message:
Your wife should know how close you’ve become to Mrs. Ashford.
Grace received photographs too.
They were not meant only to accuse Clara.
They were meant to create a second household scandal strong enough that Daniel might stay silent out of embarrassment.
He did not.
Daniel handed Samuel his phone.
A message from Edmund:
Need her alone in east wing Thursday. Make it happen.
Clara stared.
The adultery allegation had been manufactured.
May you like
Carefully.
And Maribel knew.
