Chapter 11 - THE VIDEO FROM THE RESTAURANTThe video was twenty-eight seconds long.
Aaron eventually watched it with Rebecca.
Not because he needed to see the slap again.
Because they needed to understand exactly what the camera captured.
Milo and Aaron entered frame.
Toy projectile.
Glass breaking.
Chase turning.
Words were indistinct because the camera had no usable audio.
Then Chase moved.
The slap was unmistakable.
Milo's head turned slightly.
Aaron stepped between them.
The rest unfolded exactly as Aaron remembered.
Rebecca paused the recording.
“That is clear.”
Aaron looked away.
“Can we avoid showing this to Milo?”
“Yes.”
“If there's litigation?”
“Possibly. But given the circumstances, we can try to resolve without putting him through unnecessary testimony.”
“Good.”
Rebecca resumed.
Near the end of the footage, something else happened.
Chase leaned around Aaron while Aaron spoke to the manager.
His mouth moved toward Milo.
The whispered sentence.
No audio.
But the body language supported Milo's account.
Rebecca paused again.
“He specifically addressed him.”
“Yes.”
“You didn't see this?”
“No.”
Aaron's anger returned.
Controlled.
Heavy.
Rebecca closed the laptop.
“Chase's counsel knows we have this.”
“What are they asking now?”
“To meet.”
“No.”
“He offered an apology.”
“To Milo?”
“To you.”
Aaron almost smiled.
“Then he still doesn't understand.”
Across town, Chase was having a bad week.
The video had not leaked.
That was the good news.
The bad news was almost everything else.
Whitcomb Capital's delay triggered questions from other investors.
A lender requested updated forecasts.
The board demanded an independent expense review.
And Martin, his CFO, had stopped asking permission before providing requested documents.
Chase felt his authority dissolving.
He called his communications consultant.
“How bad if the video leaks?”
“Very.”
“Define very.”
“You are a wealthy founder striking an eight-year-old child after his toy breaks a luxury car window.”
“It wasn't like that.”
She stared at him through the video call.
“What part is inaccurate?”
“The kid caused thousands in damage.”
“Do not say that publicly.”
“Why?”
“Because no normal person hears ‘adult slapped eight-year-old’ and thinks the price of automotive glass is the central issue.”
Chase rubbed his forehead.
“So what do I say?”
“You apologize.”
“I already offered.”
“You offered money.”
“Same objective.”
“No.”
He hated that word.
Everyone had started saying no to him.
His lawyer.
His CFO.
Whitcomb.
Now his own PR adviser.
“What if Whitcomb is using this to destroy me?”
“Then the best defense is clean books and good conduct.”
Chase didn't answer.
She continued.
“Are your books clean?”
“Yes.”
“Good.”
“Mostly.”
Her face changed.
“What does mostly mean?”
“Nothing illegal.”
“That was not my question.”
Chase ended the call.
Friday morning, he went to Bellavere himself.
The manager greeted him politely but without warmth.
“I need the footage.”
“We can't provide it without proper authorization.”
“It's footage of my vehicle.”
“And multiple people.”
“I'm in it.”
“So is a minor.”
Chase put both hands on the desk.
“Do you know how much money I spend here?”
The manager looked at him.
“Yes.”
“Then help me.”
“I am helping by following policy.”
Chase stared.
There it was again.
That new tone people used after the incident.
Not fear.
Boundaries.
He hated it.
At the valet stand, the same young man who had recognized Aaron's card was working.
Chase approached him.
“What's your name?”
“Daniel.”
“You recognized Whitcomb's card.”
Daniel hesitated.
“I recognized the emblem.”
“From where?”
“My uncle works in private banking.”
“What did he tell you?”
“Nothing specific.”
“Don't lie.”
Daniel looked toward his supervisor.
Chase lowered his voice.
“That card—how much do you need to have?”
Daniel shrugged.
“I don't know.”
“Ten million?”
“No idea.”
“Fifty?”
“I don't know.”
“Five hundred?”
Daniel finally met his eyes.
“Sir, I don't think the point was how much money he has.”
Chase laughed.
“Everyone suddenly has philosophical advice.”
Daniel remained quiet.
Chase turned to leave.
Then Daniel said, “He didn't look at you like you were beneath him.”
Chase stopped.
Daniel continued carefully.
“Even after what happened.”
Chase looked over his shoulder.
“And?”
Daniel swallowed.
“You looked at him that way before you knew who he was.”
Chase stared at the valet.
For one second, Daniel looked afraid he might lose his job.
Then Chase walked away.
Not because the comment didn't anger him.
Because he had no answer.
That afternoon, Rebecca called Aaron.
“Chase's lawyer has withdrawn the proposed settlement.”
“Why?”
“They're preparing for potential civil exposure.”
“Fine.”
“And Bellavere received a subpoena request draft.”
“From Chase?”
“Yes. They're trying to secure the footage too.”
Aaron looked through the window as Milo kicked a soccer ball in the backyard.
At least he was kicking one again.
“Let them.”
Rebecca paused.
“You sound relieved.”
“I am.”
“Why?”
“Because I don't want hidden evidence.”
May you like
Aaron watched Milo miss the goal and laugh.
“If Chase wants the video, give him every frame.”
Related Stories
